Training Level: Basic / Intermediate Level

Training Duration: 5 Days (6 Hours per Day) – Total Duration: 30 Hours

Trainer: Instructor Mustafa Akkaşoğlu

Participant Profile

• Beginners or those interested in starting small ruminant farming,
• Those who wish to make their current operations more profitable,
• Agriculture and animal husbandry vocational school/college students,
• Those applying for livestock loans.

Prerequisites

• Interest in small ruminant farming,
• No specific prerequisites to attend this program.

Curriculum Topics

Day 1: Breed and System Selection

• Selection of efficient native and improved breeds suitable for the region for sheep and goats,
• Comparison of grazing, semi-intensive, and intensive farming methods,
• Planning ideal barn and goat shelter characteristics,
• Herd acquisition and adaptation processes to the farm,

Day 2: Nutrition and Grazing Management

• Feeding strategies for lambs/kids, rams/bucks, and ewes during pregnancy/lactation,
• The importance of roughage quality and grazing management techniques,
• Efficient use of pasture and timing for supplementary feeding,
• Effects of mineral and vitamin supplements on herd health,

Day 3: Birth Management and Newborn Care

• Methods for planning births (estrus synchronization),
• Critical care practices before, during, and after birth,
• Importance of colostrum (first milk) and the first-week care of newborns,
• Lamb/kid diseases and preventive methods,

Day 4: Diseases and Herd Health

• Common diseases in small ruminants and methods of combating them,
• Up-to-date and effective methods for internal and external parasite control,
• Creating a vaccination schedule for small ruminants (mandatory and recommended vaccines),
• Biosecurity measures to protect the overall health of the herd,

Day 5: Sustainability and Marketing

• Simple herd record-keeping systems, ear tagging, weighing, and herd tracking,
• Proper shearing and hoof care techniques,
• Basic marketing strategies for live animals, milk, meat, and wool/cashmere products,
• Sustainable practices to increase farm profitability,

Training Outcomes

• Can select a breed suitable for the region and plan shelter needs for small ruminants.
• Can prepare supplementary feeding plans based on pasture quality.
• Can successfully manage breeding and birthing periods.
• Can detect diseases early in the herd and apply regular preventive veterinary care.
• Has a solid understanding of basic marketing strategies for products from the herd.
• At the end of the training, participants will receive a university-approved participation certificate if they attend 79% or more of the training.