OBSERVATIONS ON SMALL RUMINANTS HUSBANDRY IN THE RURAL AREA OF EAST-CAMEROON PROVINCE

Husbandry of small ruminant is studied in the rural area of East-Camer oon. Herd size is important when livestock owners have built shelters for their animals. These shelters are made of local materials and do n ot always offer conditions for a good animal protection. Small ruminan t husbandry in this province of East-Cameroon concerns mainly sheep ra ther than goats. The flocks are relatively young with a higher number of female kids or lambs. The ratio of females to breeding males is rat her small (3.58 : 1 for sheep and 2.2 : 1 for goats). There is no spec ial habitat for lambing or kidding. The mortality rate is very high fo r animals under 6 months of age and appears higher in goats than sheep (56.09 p. 100 in goats and 20.12 p. 100 in sheep). Respiratory diseas es have been found in all herds.