Breeding at the right time can protect newborn goats and sheep from harsh weather, disease, and poor survival. For Nigerian farmers, timing matters greatly. Plan wisely for healthy herd performance.

Because goats and sheep carry pregnancies for roughly five months, July mating can produce December births. Drier conditions may reduce chilling, pneumonia, infections, and contaminated bedding risks. Breed overall strategically.

Rainy season births can challenge weak newborns through cold, wet housing, parasites, infections, difficult births, and inadequate colostrum intake. Survival depends on preparation, protection, and careful monitoring. Protect every newborn.

Farmers should not automatically blame mothers when newborns die. Poor shelter, weak offspring, nutrition, difficult deliveries, infections, and management failures may contribute significantly. Investigate every loss carefully before changing practices.

Successful breeding requires good body condition, quality nutrition, clean kidding areas, proper shelter, and close newborn monitoring. Better timing can improve survival, productivity, and profitability. Plan ahead for lasting success.

Best regards,

Abdullah Opeyemi Akande
B.Agric. (FUNAAB)
GAS (NIAS)
M.Sc. Animal Sci. (UI)
RAS (NIAS)
M.Sc. Int’l Business (UU, UK)
Ph.D. in view