The aim of this project was to study indigenous breeding practices used in management of Capra hircus (Galla and Small East African goats) populations in Kajiado County in Rift valley province and Makueni County in Eastern province. Data were obtained through a field survey using questionnaires (Appendix I) and personal observations between 1 st September, 2013 and 2 nd December, 2013. This study covered key characteristics of goats production and areas of goat breeding, such as general farm details, number of goats, main activities of the farmers, farming types, breeds, flock structure, feeding, housing, catastrophes, selection, mating systems, breeding systems, average age at parturition, breeding problems, and the importance of goats. Results showed that the average number of goats in Kajiado was 100.65 ± std 49.88 while in Makueni it was 12.28 ± std 6.46. The main activity of the people interviewed was farming as 58 people (96.67%) in Kajiado and 42 people (61.60%) chose farming as their main activity because this was their main source of livelihood. Flocks were dominated by breeding females at a mean of 39.06 ± std 16.75 in Kajiado and a mean of 5.62 ± std 3.50 in Makueni because females were kept to reproduce to increase the size of the flock and the males were kept majorly for cash and only one or two were left to reproduce with the females. Drought was the major catastrophe as it killed an average number of goats of 6.33 ± std 4.36. Pneumonia and diarrhoea were the major diseases according to 28 farmers (46.66%) in Kajiado and 31 farmers (51.66%) in Makueni. Ticks and fleas were the major parasites according to 42 farmers (70%) in Kajiado and 4 farmers (63.34%) in Makueni. Treatment was mostly done by the farmers individually as 54 farmers (90%) in Kajiado and 46 farmers (76.67%) in Makueni treated the animals by themselves. This was so because it was either not easy to get a veterinarian or expensive for them to hire veterinarian doctors. Some farmers used traditional medicine like mavuavui; Steganotaenia araliacea was used to treat pneumonia. Farmers also devised feeding methods during drought as 48 farmers (80.00%) in Kajiado and 23 farmers (38.33%) in Makueni cut leaves from up trees to feed the goats. When doing selection of breed, 58 farmers (96.67%) and 57 farmers (95%) considered large body size and drought resistance respectively in Kajiado. The farmers in Makueni considered age and drought resistance at equal chances of 59 farmers (98.33%). The main mating system was naturally uncontrolled as 113 farmers (95.17%) of the overall 120 farmers interviewed in Kajiado and Makueni chose this as the main mating method. The major breeding system was pure breeding at 85 farmers (70.83%). The average age at parturition of the goats was 1.435 ± 0.125 years in Kajiado and 1.44 ± 0.121 years in Makueni. Abortion was the major breeding problem because it was caused by environmental stressors like drought and diseases as 54 farmers (93.92%) in Kajiado and 55 farmers (95.66%) claimed that it was a problem. Goats were majorly kept for cash (100%) and meat (100%) in Kajiado and for cash (100%) and dowry (100%) in Makueni. In conclusion, the study showed that crossbreeding was encouraged by mating that occurred at the markets, water points, free ranging feeding method, pastoralism due to drought, selection methods and translocation of female goats from Makueni County to be mated with the males in Kajiado County. Environmental problems like drought and diseases caused several deaths and reduced the level of existing gene pool of the goats.
Indigenous knowledge is the knowledge that is unique to a particular community. This knowledge helps in conservation and disaster preparedness. Local goats in Kenya have been scantily described when we consider indigenous knowledge based on conservation. There is a threat of loss of unique genotypes and loss of adaptation due to new practices, for example, crossbreeding with exotic breeds. Adaptability to certain terrain and disease resistance through indiscriminate crossbreeding has seriously reduced [
In Kenya the classification of the local goats based on phenotype/morphology identifies three breeds: Small East African (SEA) goats, the Galla and crosses of SEA and the Galla [
The Small East African goat is one of the most successful domestic goat breeds for the semi-arid lands. They are found all over East Africa from the arid land to urban areas. They are kept mainly for their meat, as milk production usually is only enough for the one single kid. They have a potential for selection and are useful breeding stocks for upgrading breeding. In their present unimproved form, their greatest advantage is the ability to survive in almost any environment [
Local animals are more resistant to local diseases than crossbreeds or exotic breeds and can survive in harsh conditions of drought and little food compared with the exotic ones or their crosses, i.e. the smooth coats of Boran cattle protect them from ticks [
The ASAL regions constituted 76% of cattle, sheep and goats in Kenya [
The aim was to determine communities’ breeding systems, practices and objectives on the Galla and SEA goats and link these to the indigenous knowledge of these communities living in Kajiado and Makueni Counties.
What indigenous knowledge do communities living Kajiado and Makueni apply when breeding the local goats?
This research was conducted in two Counties namely; Makueni and Kajiado. The study areas were chosen based on previous formal field surveys carried out for characterizing goat production systems, production and reproduction performances [
Makueni County (formerly Makueni District) (
800 to 1200 mm of rainfall per year. The rest of the district receives less rainfall at about 500 mm per annum. The high temperature experienced in the low-lying areas. Because of this pattern of rainfall, Makueni is classified as both arid and semi-arid land [
Kajiado County (
A total of 120 questionnaires were used in this study as shown in multistaged sampling procedure in
The data collected were entered in excel and later exported to the statistical package (SAS V 9.0) for analysis. Different models in the SAS software were used to analyse the data. Descriptive statistics (central tendencies and dispersion measures) was used to describe the average numbers of goats, breeding practices, goat housing and equipment used by the farmers in goat production, goat feeds and feeding practices, goat diseases, uses of goats and marketing and farmer suggested interventions for the identified constraints using the model ; proc means N mean std max and min.
Frequencies were done using proc freq model in the SAS system software. Chi-square and fisher`s test was also used to find significant effects of variables at p ˂ 0.005 [
The average family size for the interviewed households was 5.75 in Kajiado and 5.55 in Makueni shown in
Factor | Variable | Kajiado | Makueni | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
N (mean) | % respondents | N (mean) | % respondents | ||
Family size | (5.75) | (5.55) | |||
Gender | Male | 42 | 70.00 | 53 | 88.33 |
Female | 18 | 30.00 | 7 | 11.67 | |
Flock owner | Father | 50 | 83.33 | 58 | 96.67 |
Mother | 5 | 8.33 | 2 | 3.33 | |
Children | 5 | 8.33 | 0 | 0.00 | |
Manager | Father | 27 | 45.00 | 49 | 81.67 |
Mother | 25 | 41.67 | 1 | 1.67 | |
Children | 8 | 13.33 | 10 | 16.67 | |
Main activity | Farming | 58 | 96.67 | 42 | 70.00 |
Police | 1 | 1.67 | 0 | 0.00 | |
Business | 1 | 1.67 | 0 | 0.00 | |
Teaching | 0 | 0.00 | 4 | 6.67 | |
Farming and business | 0 | 0.00 | 11 | 18.33 | |
Mechanics | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 1.67 | |
Pastors | 0 | 0.00 | 2 | 3.33 | |
Education | Primary | 54 | 90 | 34 | 56.66 |
Secondary | 4 | 6.66 | 23 | 38.34 | |
Post-sec. | 2 | 3.34 | 3 | 5.00 | |
Land ownership | Individual | 34 | 56.67 | 56 | 93.33 |
Communal | 26 | 43.33 | 4 | 6.67 | |
Farming type | Pastoralism | 23 | 38.34 | 3 | 5.00 |
Semi-commercial | 37 | 61.66 | 3 | 5.00 | |
Mixed farming | 0 | 0.00 | 54 | 90 |
were the main types of farming in Kajiado at 37(61.66%) and 23 (38.34%) respectively. In Makueni, mixed farming was the main farming type at (90.00%) and pastoralism and semi-commercial farming were equal at 5% each.
The best feeding method in Kajiado was free range from the response of 55 farmers and both free range and tethering came second. Tethering was ranked first in Makueni with 33 farmers chose it as the best feeding method, 15 farmers did both free range tethering and 12 farmers did free range alone. The best housing type was by building goats houses using wood and thorn in Kajiado and mud house was the best house type used for goats in Makueni.
Kajiado | Makueni | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Average no. of goats | ||||||||
N | Mean | SD | N | Mean | SD | |||
6039 | 100.65 | 49.88 | 737 | 12.28 | 6.46 | |||
structure | Kajiado | Makueni | ||||||
N | Mean | SD | N | Mean | SDS | |||
Female kids | 513 | 8.55 | 7.68 | 118 | 1.96 | 1.90 | ||
Male kids | 393 | 6.56 | 5.99 | 89 | 1.48 | 1.56 | ||
Weaned females | 859 | 14.31 | 10.48 | 75 | 1.25 | 1.72 | ||
Weaned males | 2486 | 41.43 | 21.63 | 43 | 0.71 | 0.94 | ||
Weaners with 1 testicle | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
Castrate weaners | 648 | 10.80 | 9.12 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
Weaners with 2 testicles | 228 | 3.80 | 4.91 | 37 | 0.61 | 0.84 | ||
Kids with 1 testicle | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
Kids with 2 testicle | 379 | 6.31 | 5.94 | 80 | 1.33 | 1.56 | ||
Adults with1 testicle | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
Adults with 2 testicle | 64 | 1.06 | 0.25 | 70 | 1.16 | 0.37 | ||
Castrate male adults | 1013 | 16.88 | 13.40 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
Mature males | 1077 | 17.95 | 13.45 | 70 | 1.16 | 0.37 | ||
Breeding females | 2507 | 41.78 | 21.41 | 328 | 5.46 | 3.34 | ||
Breeding bucks | 64 | 1.06 | 0.25 | 70 | 1.16 | 0.37 | ||
Drought caused the highest effects with a mean of 1.87 ± 1.64 animals lost whenever there was drought for both the Counties. Diseases came second at a mean loss of 0.29 ± 0.59 goats. Rustling was ranked last at a mean loss of 0.08 ± 0.28 animals. One farmer in Namanga lost 3 goats which were predated on by a leopard.
Pneumonia and diarrhoea was ranked first while pneumonia alone was second among the diseases mentioned by the farmers to be causing a lot of problems in the two Counties. Pneumonia and rabies was ranked third in Kajiado while rabies alone was ranked last. Rabies was ranked third in Makueni while pneumonia and rabies was ranked last. Of the dangerous parasites, ticks and fleas were ranked first while tick alone came second in the two Counties. Most of the farmers did individual treatment of the goats, followed by private vets and lastly government vets.
Traditional medicines used in the treatment of goats are indicated in
The major water sources in Kajiado were government constructed water points and pipeline while rivers, stream, and dams were used by a few people. The major water sources in Makueni were stream, river and government constructed water points while wells, and pipeline, were used by a few people and one person used dam. Water was always available and reliable (
The farmers in Kajiado considered body size then drought resistance, colour of fur, age, disease resistance, milk production, physical appearance, conception rate, docility, growth rate, posture and gait in the order (
Females were selected by considering mothering ability then body size, coat colour was third and body structure was last (
All the farmers kept goats for cash. All the farmers in Kajiado kept goats for blood while most farmers kept goats
Management | Kajiado | Makueni | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
N | % respondents | Rank | N | % respondents | Rank | |
Water source | ||||||
Govt constructed water points | 33 | 55 | 1 | 11 | 18.33 | 3 |
Pipeline | 13 | 21.67 | 2 | 7 | 11.67 | 5 |
River | 6 | 10.00 | 3 | 13 | 21.67 | 2 |
Stream | 6 | 10.00 | 4 | 19 | 31.67 | 1 |
Dam | 2 | 3.33 | 5 | 1 | 1.67 | 6 |
well | - | - | - | 9 | 15.00 | 4 |
Water availability/reliability | 60 | 100 | 60 | 100 | ||
Food provision | ||||||
Cut leaves from trees | 48 | 80.00 | 1 | 8 | 13.33 | 3 |
Collect and cut leaves and buy commercial feeds | 9 | 15.00 | 2 | 7 | 11.67 | 4 |
Collect/pick leaves | 3 | 5.00 | 3 | 23 | 38.33 | 1 |
Collect and cut leaves | 0 | 0.00 | _ | 22 | 36.67 | 2 |
Factor | Kajiado | Makueni | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. of respondents | Percent | Rank | No. of respondents | Percent | Rank | |
Body size | 58 | 96.67 | 1 | 5 | 8.33 | 11 |
Drought resistance | 57 | 95.00 | 2 | 59 | 98.33 | 1 |
Colour of fur | 57 | 95.00 | 3 | 11 | 18.33 | 8 |
Age | 54 | 90.00 | 4 | 59 | 98.33 | 1 |
Disease resistance | 52 | 86.67 | 5 | 52 | 86.67 | 3 |
Milk production | 49 | 81.67 | 6 | 28 | 46.67 | 4 |
Physical appearance | 43 | 71.67 | 7 | 26 | 43.33 | 5 |
Conception rate | 7 | 11.67 | 8 | 21 | 35.00 | 6 |
Docility | 7 | 11.67 | 9 | 6 | 10.00 | 9 |
Posture and gait | 4 | 6.67 | 10 | 5 | 8.83 | 11 |
Growth rate | 2 | 3.33 | 11 | 14 | 23.33 | 7 |
Females | ||
---|---|---|
Factor | No. of respondents | Percent |
Mothering ability | 101 | 84.17 |
Size | 80 | 66.67 |
Colour of fur | 59 | 49.17 |
Body structure | 17 | 14.17 |
Males | ||
Factor | No. of respondents | Percent |
Age | 110 | 91.67 |
Body size | 109 | 90.83 |
Disease resistance | 108 | 90.00 |
Reduce inbreeding | 77 | 64.17 |
Physical appearance | 47 | 39.17 |
Improvement | 43 | 35.83 |
for chevon, dowry, milk and circumcision shown in (
The average number of family members was 5.75 and ranged between 2 - 10 members in Kajiado while it was an average of 5.55 and a range of between 2 - 11 people in Makueni (
Out of the 60 farmers interviewed in Kajiado 42 farmers were males while 18 were females. In Makueni, 53 were males and 7 were female farmers (
In most of the families, goats were owned by the family heads (
Of all the farmers interviewed per County, 49 famers (81.67%) in Makueni and 27 farmers (45.00) in Kajiado were household heads as overall managers. The number of women who managed the goats was 1 (1.67%) in Makueni, while in Kajiado they were 25 women (41.67%). The number of children who did the same were 10 (16.67) in Makueni and 8 children (13.33%) in Kajiado (
Farming was the main activity according to 58 farmers (96.67%) in Kajiado, 1 farmer (1.67%) was a policeman and 1 farmer (1.67) was a business person. Of all the farmers interviewed in Makueni, 42 farmers (70.00%) did farming as their main activity, 4 farmers (6.67%) were teachers, 11 people (18.33%) were farmers and business people, 1 farmer (1.67) was a mechanic and 2 farmers (3.33%) were pastors (
The education of the farmers were such that 34 farmers (56.66%) in Makueni and 54 farmers (90.00%) in Kajiado attained primary education, 23 farmers (38.33%) in Makueni and 4 farmers (6.67%) in Kajiado attained secondary school education. There were 4 farmers (6.67%) in Makueni and 2 farmers (3.33%) in Kajiado who managed to post-secondary education. A chi-square test (p ˂ 0.001) and a likelihood ratio (p ˂ 0.001) revealed significant difference in education level of the farmers in the two Counties. These results indicate that most farmers in Makueni attained secondary education than the farmers in Kajiado. Goat management does not only need formal education only in order to bring prosperity but including indigenous knowledge is also important. This is evidence in this research where a few farmers in Kajiado had not attained the basic secondary education but managed many goats than the farmers in Makueni County where many farmers had the basic secondary education. Education had also created awareness to various agricultural developmental issues or programmes that support agriculture in Makueni; for example Micro Enterprise Support Programme Trust (MEST) based in Wote division. This result could be compared to Ole Kwalla’s who noted that if a Maasai farmer gets educated, can`t it be argued that schooling improve his ranching? The actual rate of return to investment agriculture is related to education level of the farmer involved. He went ahead to say that a large majority of Maasai had successfully resisted formal education for themselves and their children. The schools in pastoral areas were functioning for themselves and their children. Schools were kept alive for Maasai pastoral under ? enrolled conditions, which would have closed them down in most other parts of Kenya. Their indecision made majority of children to go to school late in life and as a result of hold up (repetitions) to achieve district academic standards. They mature long before secondary and at this age the boys were required at home to provide needed livestock labour hence drop out of school [
The type of land ownership in Kajiado and Makueni were different (
Different farming types were used in Kajiado and Makueni Counties (
Out of the 180 goats sampled in Kajiado, 128 (71.11%), were Galla goats and 52 (28.89%) were SEA goats. A chi-square test showed that there was significant difference in the number of Galla and SEA goats p ˂ 0.001. Out of the 180 goats sampled in Makueni, 111 (61.67%) goats were SEA and 69 (38.33%) were Galla goats and again chi-square test showed that there was a significant difference between the number of Galla goats and SEA goats in Makueni. p ˂ 0.001. These results indicate that the Galla goat was the dominant goat breed in Kajiado while SEA goat was the dominant goat breed in Makueni. According to Coffey there were approximately 200 goat breeds in Kenya [
Even though the Galla goat breed was dominant in Kajiado and the SEA goat breed in Makueni, the two goat breeds were found in either of the Counties. This scenario was caused by the types of land ownership and the types of farming. Communal land ownership in Kajiado and pastoralism as type of farming encouraged cross-breeding between the two breeds. During pastoralism, goats meet and mate and different genes are expressed both for the Galla and the SEA goats.
In
The flock structure consisted of female kids, male kids, weaned females, weaned males, mature females, and mature males, male weaners with two testicle, male castrate weaners, adult males with two testicles, male castrate adults, breeding females and breeding males in Kajiado (
The farmers in Kajiado County considered, adaptability, age and market value based on size: 57 farmers (95.00%) considered drought resistance, 52 farmer (86.67%) considered disease resistance whereby they selected the goats they knew would survive these problems; 58 (96.67%) farmers considered big body sized goats, 57 farmers (90.00%) considered white coloured goats, 54 farmers (90.00%) considered young adults, 49 farmers (81.67%) for milk production and 43 (71.67) farmers (
Several factors were put into consideration when replacing the breeding males; age, body size and disease resistance were the main factors the farmers considered across the two Counties. Inbreeding was also another factor the farmers wanted to eradicate. Males were chosen by considering young adults with big body size, disease resistance, reducing inbreeding, physical appearance, and improvement (
The best way of selecting female goats for the breeding of subsequent generations was to use the offspring of a successful nanny. By comparing the performance of both the parents and their kids the selection decision were made. The farmers believed that the offspring of a successful nanny would also be successful. Important traits that were considered in selection decisions included size, colour of fur and mothering ability (
The major mating system used in the two Counties was natural uncontrolled mating since there were 113 farmers (94.17%) who used this method. The rest of the farmers used natural controlled method. A chi-square test showed that there was a significant difference in the mating systems used p ˂ 0.001. The breeding male was left to mate with the females. If the number of females were many, then two males were left to mate with the females. Natural uncontrolled method was done to allow the goats to breed freely to increase the size of the flock. The farmers who practiced natural controlled breeding, did it to timing mating in June or July so that the young ones are born when there was plenty of food for the goats. There was a significant difference p ˂ 0.001 in the factors the farmers considered when they choose the mating system. Kosgey reported uncontrolled mating within the household’s flock was predominant (an average of 42%) for Small holder and 54% for pastoral farmers for goats. He also reported group mating, in which a group of does were left with one or more bucks to mate for a predetermined period [
The farmers used either pure breeding or cross breeding of the Galla and SEA goats in Kajiado and Makueni Counties. Of the 120 farmers interviewed in the two Counties, 85 farmers (70.83%) used pure breeding while 35 farmers (29.17%) did cross breed the Galla and SEA. Two farmers said that pure Galla goats from Garissa County were sold in markets in the two Counties. Cross breeding with exotic breeds did not happen because the exotic breeds and their offspring could not adapt to the harsh environmental conditions. There was a significant difference in the choice of breeding system, chi-square―p ˂ 0.001. This means that the best system for breeding local goats in Kajiado and Makueni was pure breeding of two indigenous goat breeds. This result was similar Semakula who noted that in Uganda the main breeding system was pure indigenous breeding in a research done in Arua and Soroto districts [
Most the respondents said that parturition started at the age of between 1.2 - 1.5 years and with a mean of 1.44 years for both the breeds. The farmers added that the lifespan was around 7 - 8 years for both the SEA and the Galla goats. Kosgey reported that small holder farmers mated animals for the first time at about 10 - 11 months meaning that kidding occurred at 15.5 - 16.5 months. A slightly big range that he recorded was 9 - 12 months first time mating in pastoral communities which meant that kidding occurred at 14.5 - 17.5 months [
1) Shared markets and translocation of goats
The shared markets like Emali, Makindu, Wote, Salama, Mtito Andei and Kibwezi and Simba encouraged cross breeding between the two goat breeds in the two Counties. In these markets any farmer sold or bought any type of breed of goat. This way the farmers in Kajiado bought SEA goats and the farmers in Makueni bought Galla goats and vice versa. Some goats mate at the market. The farmers in Makueni County translocated the SEA female goats to Kajiado County to get mated with the large male Galla goats.
2) Drought, diseases, livestock rustling and predation
The major catastrophes in Kajiado and Makueni were drought, diseases, livestock rustling and predation which caused losses and at the same time affected breeding. Drought was the most problematic as an average of 1.87 ± std 1.64 goats died because of this, disease was second at a mean of 0.29 ± std 0.59 while rustling was last at 0.08 ± 0.28 (
Pneumonia (Maasai call it orkipei), rabies, diarrhoea were the major disease problems (
Variables | Mean | Std |
---|---|---|
Total drought effects | 1.87 | 1.64 |
Total disease effects | 0.29 | 0.59 |
Total rustling effects | 0.08 | 0.28 |
Factor | Kajiado | Makueni | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
N | % respondents | Rank | N | % respondents | Rank | |
Disease | ||||||
Pneumonia and diarrhoea | 28 | 46.66 | 1 | 31 | 51.66 | 1 |
Pneumonia | 22 | 37.66 | 2 | 27 | 45.00 | 2 |
Pneumonia and rabies | 9 | 15.00 | 3 | 0 | 0.00 | 4 |
Rabies | 1 | 1.66 | 4 | 2 | 3.34 | 3 |
Parasites | ||||||
Tick and fleas | 42 | 70.00 | 1 | 44 | 73.34 | 1 |
Ticks | 18 | 30.00 | 2 | 16 | 26.66 | 2 |
Treatment | ||||||
Self | 46 | 76.67 | 1 | 46 | 76.67 | 1 |
Private vet | 14 | 23.33 | 2 | 14 | 23.33 | 2 |
Govt vet | 4 | 6.67 | 3 | 4 | 6.67 | 3 |
ridor for animals migrating from Amboseli national park to Maasai-mara national park so that the wild animals and domestic animals shared a range land. The intermingling of domestic animals and the pastoralist nature that existed in the two Counties also contributed greatly to the spread of goats’ diseases. Coffey noted similar results that all Kenyan pastoralists face high risk of animal diseases because of aspects such as mobility of the animals based on the livestock production system [
Ticks and fleas were the most common external parasites the respondents said were menace in the two Counties (
3) Solutions to the factors causing losses of goats
a) Treatment of goats in Kajiado and Makueni
Wherever there are animal problems like diseases or parasites, treatment is important. Chris noted that for success to occur in the production of animals in Turkana district it is good if farmers ensured that animals were in good condition and thus adequate nutrition; protection and timely treatment of diseases and parasites were very essential [
b) Housing type for goats in Kajiado and Makueni Counties
The housing type determines whether goats will suffer from pneumonia, predated on or the success of thieves to steal the goats. Out of the 60 farmers interviewed per County, 39 farmers (64.00%) in Kajiado (
Management | Kajiado | Makueni | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
No. of respondents | Rank | No. of respondents | Rank | |
Feeding method | ||||
Free range | 55 | 1 | 12 | 3 |
Free range and tethering | 5 | 2 | 15 | 2 |
Tethering | 0 | 3 | 33 | 1 |
Housing type | ||||
Wood and thorn | 39 | 1 | 14 | 2 |
Wire and thorn | 19 | 2 | 7 | 3 |
Mud | 1 | 3 | 35 | 1 |
Wood | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Herb (scientific name). | What it treats |
---|---|
Mavuavui (Steganotaenia araliacea) | Pneumonia |
Uswe (Cissus quaragularis) | Encourage peristalsis/treat stomach problems |
Mukomole (Tapiphyllum schimanii) | Treats pneumonia |
Kitanyu kamwene | Normalises blood pressure |
Kyatha (Synadenium compactum) | Treats lymph problems |
Mwenzenze (Boscia salicifolia) | Treats pneumonia |
Muumba (Clerodendrum myriocoides) | Treats malaria |
Mukenia (Fagara chalybea) | Relieves common cold and treat pneumonia |
Muvinda vinde (Trimeria glandiflora) | Relieves cough and cleans blood |
A handful of maize | Removes retained placenta |
were surrounded by other game parks like Tsavo East and Tsavo West, Amboseli, Maasai Mara and game reserves like Chyulu where animals came from especially during migration and may be when they just crossed the fence to roam about. Lawrence noted that in Laikipia district, farmers use acacia thorn, stone, wooden posts, wire mesh to construct livestock houses so that the domestic animals are not predated on by the wild carnivores at night [
4) Water sources
Water was available and reliable according to all the respondents in Kajiado and Makueni Counties. The farmers sourced water from boreholes, dams, piped water, sand wells, government constructed water points, streams and rivers (
5) Methods of feeding goats used in Kajiado and Makueni
Goats were majorly grazed by the free ranging system in Kajiado according to the response of 55 (91.66%) out of 60 farmers in this County. Only 5 farmers (8.34%) practiced both free range and tethering in Kajiado. The animals were allowed to graze anywhere and without restriction. There was free ranging and tethering systems in Makueni. Out of the 60 farmers, 33 farmers (55.00%) practiced tethering, 15 farmers (25.00%) practiced both free range and tethering and 12 farmers (20.00%) practice free range (
Food provision to goats during drought was such that most farmers in Kajiado thus; 48 farmers (80.00%) cut leaves from up tree to feed their goats during drought, 9 farmers (15%) collect/pick leaves, cut and buy commercial feeds while 3 farmers (5.00%) collect/pick leaves. Most farmers in Makueni thus; 23 farmers (38.33%) cut leaves from up tree to feed their goats during drought, 23 farmer (38.33%) collect/ pick leaves, cut and buy commercial feeds while 22 farmers (36.67%) collect/pick and cut leaves, 8 farmers (13.33%) collect/ pick leaves and 7 farmers (11.67%) collect, cut and buy commercial.(
Abortion was the main breeding problem. Fifty four farmers (93.92%) in Kajiado had the problem of abortion affecting their goats, 3 farmers (5.22%) said still birth was a problem while 3 farmers (5.22%) said both abortion and still birth was a problem. Fifty five farmers in Makueni (95.66%) had the problem of abortion. These breeding problems were of greatest threats during drought when there was little food for the animals and the female goats aborted or underwent still birth because of stress. These problems reduced the number of kids born and hence the expected increase in population size reduced. Chris found the same results as he reported that in Turkana district which is also an ASAL region that abortion caused the number of off springs born to be limited and production restricted [
All the 60 (100.00%) farmers interviewed in Kajiado kept the animals to get money when they sell them and all the farmers used blood from the animals as food, 58 farmers (96.67%) used goats for meat, 58 farmers (96.67%) for dowry the bride groom produced the number of goats that the parents of the bride would need, 57 farmers (95.00%) for milk, 51 farmers (85.00%) use goats during circumcision, 39 farmers (65.00%) used the skin when they are slaughtered and 31 farmers (51.67%) sold their dung as manure to farmers in Makueni who practiced crop production (
1) The major diseases that hindered the production of goats in Kajiado and Makueni were pneumonia and di-
Use | Kajiado | Makueni | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
No. of respondents | Percent | No. of respondents | Percent | |
Cash | 60 | 100.00 | 60 | 100.00 |
Blood | 60 | 100.00 | 40 | 66.67 |
Chevon | 58 | 96.67 | 43 | 71.67 |
Dowry | 58 | 96.67 | 60 | 100.00 |
Milk | 57 | 95.00 | 42 | 70.00 |
Circumcision | 51 | 85.00 | 29 | 48.33 |
Skin | 39 | 65.00 | 26 | 43.33 |
Manure | 31 | 51.67 | 54 | 90.00 |
Gift | 30 | 50.00 | 26 | 43.33 |
Church | 28 | 46.67 | 2 | 3.33 |
Naming | 3 | 5.00 | 0 | 0.00 |
arrhoea. Rabies affected the animals in Kajiado and Makueni. The dangerous parasites were ticks and fleas. It is also possible that these two counties are also prone to tick borne diseases that the respondents never talk about. To control pneumonia and problems like diarrhoea, the government should deploy vets to deal with the problem by providing vaccinations against this disease. Rabies could be controlled by discouraging farmers from making homes or grazing in migratory corridors for wild animals. Grazing livestock animals in the wild life corridors also encouraged tick infestations. This would also reduce the level of infection by tick borne diseases.
2) There was a lot of crossbreeding between Galla goat breed and Small East African goats encouraged by factors like shared markets, translocations, drought, rustling, watering points, feeding methods like free range and tethering so that the existing populations were neither pure Galla goats nor pure SEA goats. Diseases, predation, breeding problems like abortion and still birth reduced the level of gene pool.
3) The Galla goats and the SEA goat breeds were kept majorly because they were adapted to the problems like drought and diseases like pneumonia in the two counties. The two breeds survived well in ASAL regions even if they were attacked by drought or dangerous diseases like pneumonia. A cross breed between the two breeds would not suffer if similar problems of drought or diseases occurred.
4) Farmers in Kajiado majored in livestock production as a major land use and an investment. Crop production was practiced in few areas like in Kimana and Loitokitok. The farmers in Makueni practiced mixed farming. The system in Makueni ensured that there was no total loss when the animals were attacked by calamities. The farmers in Kajiado kept many animals so that in case of calamity, some remained and continued to express the tolerant genes and also to save in the livelihood.
5) Water was available except that the farmers bought it expensively. Animals died due to lack of enough feed during drought. Farmers should be encouraged to plant artificial plants like Leucaena leucocephala which were very leafy, even if they were to be managed under irrigation. Secondly, they should have grazing reserves well fenced to keep off even wild animals; these could help to provide food during drought.
6) Ethno medicine should not be ignored because not everywhere will prefer agro vets to buy drugs or vet officers to treat the animals to be found. The herbalists who knew good drugs that could treat various diseases should be encouraged to treat the goats to reduce the levels of deaths experienced.
I would like to acknowledge Dr. J. O. Jung’a under whose supervision this study was a success. His personal interest in this study, encouragements, guidance, patience and kindness made it possible for me to complete it. I highly appreciate him in times of difficulties, his remarks made life bearable. He showed great wisdom and experience in this work.
My second supervisor, Prof. M. S. Badamana who was also key in giving directions in this research. He showed great interest in this research and write up. I am grateful to him for making me feel at ease while doing this research. His patience and concern to finish this research is highly appreciated in my pursuit of a higher degree.
I am also greatly indebted to Dr. Amimo who assisted very much in analysis of this research. I highly appreciate his kindness and efforts to make sure this research become a success.
My lecturers, colleagues and students also deserve special mention. I am specifically indebted to Mr B.O. Inyangala, Dr. Felix Matura, Mr. Charles Odhong, for their technical and moral support.
Okello GeorgeOtieno,Joseph OwinoJunga,M. S.Badamana,Joshua O.Amimo, (2015) Indigenous Knowledge Used in Breeding and Management of Capra hircus Populations in Kajiado and Makueni Counties, Kenya. Open Journal of Genetics,05,111-135. doi: 10.4236/ojgen.2015.53009
ASAL: Arid and Semi-Arid Land.
CGRFA: Commission on Genetic Resource for Food and Agriculture.
CV: Coefficient of Variation.
DRMPA: Drought Risk Management Peer Assistance Project.
GIS: Geographical Information System.
GPS: Global Positioning System.
Hrs: Hours
Km2: Square Kilometers
NAFIS: National Farmers Information Service.
N: Sample size.
SD/std: Standard Deviation.
SEA: Small East African.
SAS: Statistical Package for Analysis.
1. Preliminary Information
2. General Questions
Schooling: [1. None 2. Pri school 3. Secondary school 4. Post-secondary school]
Farming type……….……….……….……….……….……….……….……….……….……….……….…………
[1. Pastoralists 2. Semi-commercial 3. Commercial 4. Mixed farming]
3. Goat Management
1) Flock structure
Number of goats in farm/household……………………………………………………………………………
What breed(s) do you keep?
Continue
2) Selection of breed
Criteria used for the selection of the best animal for phenotypic and genotypic characterization.
II. If you keep more than one breed what is the advantage of doing this?…………………………………………
3) Purpose of keeping goats
What role(s) do goats play in your farm/community? (Tick one or more)
Others (specify)………………………………………………………………………………....…………………
Where do you graze your animals……………………………………………………………....…………………
Who owns the land………………………………………………………………………….......…………………
(individual, community)
Do you market? ...................................................………Name the market place..............................………………
4) Catastrophes
What are the major catastrophes that occur within your area?
What is the number of animals lost in the recent catastrophe? (Fill as appropriate)
Diseases/parasites
Do you have any problems with parasites? Yes …………………..No…………………….
Do you have any problems with parasites? Yes …………………..No…………………….
Parasite control method
Do you ever recruit help from outside to control the parasites?
Yes ………………….No……………………
List the common diseases that occur in goats within your farm/household (i.e. from symptoms that are seen by the farmer in his animals)
Who normally treat your animals?
Other (specify)……………………………………………………………………………………………………
How often do you treat your animals………………………………………………………..……………………
Drought
Is water always available for household use?
Yes………………….. No ……………………
When did you have the worst drought in the last five years?
What goat breed survived the long dry period than others? ........................................................…………………
Died…………………………………Survived…………………………………
Why did this breed survive better than you think? .....................................................................…………………
What handling practices are used during drought?......................................................................…………………
Are some animals prioritised with feeds and water during dry periods?....................................………………….
What type of housing is used for the goat?
[1.Wire + thorn 2. Wood + thorn 3.Mud 4.Wood]
5) Feeding
Is the feed for goats based on pasture? Yes………….. No……………........................
Is any supplement food given to the goats? ................................................................................………………
What else: ………………………………………………………………...................................………………
What grazing methods do you use for your goats? ................................................................…………………
(1. Free range 2. Tethering 3. Free range and tethering)
f. Breeding
i. Who make decisions on breeding? .........................................................................................……………….
ii. Which breeding system(s) do you use?
Pure breeding………………………….
Crossbreeding…………………………
Why do you use this system?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....…………………………………………
Practice cross-breeding and they gave the following selection criteria.
Mating system
Which mating systems do you use?
Natural controlled…………………..
Natural uncontrolled………………..…………
Artificial insemination……………..…………
Reasons for choosing this mating system
………………………………………………………………………………………………….. (e.g. types of birth, kidding seasons etc)
Method for controlling mating....................................................................................................
1. Apron 2. Castrate 3. Relocate males 4. Apron + Castrate 5. Castrate +Relocate)
What is the average age at first parturition? .........................................................................
How many years do you keep selected animals?
Male: ……………….. Female: …………………….
When does mating occur?.........................................................................................................
When does kidding occur?........................................................................................................
When are the kids weaned?.......................................................................................................
What factors do you consider when selecting a male for breeding?..........................................
What factors do you consider when selecting a female for breeding?.......................................
Breeding problems
Do you milk your goats? Yes…………. No ………………..
Other aspects of indigenous knowledge
What traditional herb do you use when goat is sick?
Herb………………………………………What it treats………………………………………
Adopted from Commission on genetic resources for food and agriculture (CGRFA) [