Typology of breeding small ruminants in the city of Niamey, Niger

Résumé

A four-week study was conducted in the city of Niamey, Niger, to study the typology of small ruminant culture. Eighty-four small ruminant farms (55 in urban areas and 29 in peri-urban areas) were surveyed. The results showed a predominance of men (90.50%) of whom 38.1% are Hausa, 31.1% Zarma and 23.8% Fulani. In urban areas, traders account for 29.8% and civil servants 34.5% of respondents. The study also showed the existence of three types of sheep alone (61.90%), goats alone (2.38%) and mixed sheep (33.33%) with a predominance of sheep. The breeding system encountered during the survey is sedentary in five forms: sedentary breeding in semi-stabling, permanent sedentary breeding in permanent housing, traditional semi intensive fattening, circumstantial fattening and contemplative breeding. The results also showed a diversity of high-value feeds used in the daily diets of small animals. This highlights that these breeders of small ruminants have proven expertise in food. Technical supervision is necessary to boost the productivity of this farm.