3.1 Management Practices
3.1.1 India
In arid and semi-arid regions sheep and goats are raised on permanent migration and the flocks follow well-established migratory routes according to the season. They are not brought to a homestead at any time of the year. Another group, generally from the western district of Rajasthan, migrate for 6-9 months and are brought to the homestead for the rest of the year. Goat flocks are normally non-migratory, except where they form part of mixed sheep and goat flocks. The animals are grazed on crop residues in harvested fields, in forests and in lean seasons on tree loppings. Only lactating animals get supplementary feeds, which may vary from concentrate mixture to hay or dry tree leaves. About 60% of flocks are penned in open fields away from the house and the rest are penned in temporary yards. Although the animals breed around the year, most breeding is linked with seasonal availability of grazing resources. The males stay with the flocks throughout the year, with copulation prevented as required.
In sub-tropical and temperate regions most flocks start migration in April, when they move to alpine pastures at high altitude, and start migration down in the month of October. During April-October they graze the alpine pastures, and during winter are fed dry fodder, tree leaves and concentrates. They are penned in closed houses as a protection against cold.
3.1.2 Afghanistan
Eighty percent of the sheep population are kept in transhumant flocks and the remaining 20% are stationary. Grain feeding is practised on an extremely limited scale. Breeding begins about the middle of September. Most surplus lambs and kids are marketed at about 7-10 months of age. In the Karakul breed 95% of male lambs are killed for pelt within 24 hours of birth.
3.1.3 Iran
Seventy percent of the sheep population is transhumant. Flocks migrate long distances following seasonal grass growth. The other 30% are stationary and are maintained on grazing lands around villages. During the cold and snowy winters sheep are often subjected to critical feed shortages, with high death rates and poor lamb crops.
3.1.4 Iraq, Syria, South Arabia and Yemen
In most Middle East countries, sheep are kept in communal flocks. The flocks are either stationary, transhumant or fully nomadic. Transhumance is generally observed in mountainous areas.
3.1.5 South Asia
Most flocks are with smallholders, 2-3 goats being tethered together and raised as part of the household. Very rarely is there special housing for either sheep or goats, except in Malaysia (goats) and Java (sheep).
