Vol. 11, Special Issue 8 (2022)

Author(s):
S Usha and Thanga Thamilvanan

Abstract:
The study was carried out breeding tract of Madras Red sheep in the north eastern region of Tamil Nadu. Information on health management practices of were randomly collected through formal interviews from each block of sheep farmer. The present study revealed that majority (98%) of sheep farmers followed deworming using oral drenching of anthelmintic to control the endo-parasites at regular intervals. Almost all the farmers (90%) dewormed their flocks every six months. Sheep farmers (99%) of adopted the practice of vaccination for sheep flock and (86%) not followed practice of navel cord disinfection and ligation of lambs after birth. Majority of sheep farmers (92%) follow practice to control ecto-parasite with dipping agent. only 84% of farmers adopted the clean dry shelter for sanitary practice of sheep housing. Among sheep farmers used (66%) allopathic, (25%) local empirical knowledge and (9%) both allopathic and traditional knowledge for treatment of their sick animals in their flocks. The sheep owners (62%) were using disinfectants to clean their sheds but with varied frequency. With respect to the disposal of dead animals, majority of farmers (92%) dispose their dead animals from the flock by burying method. The present study revealed that the sheep farmers the extent of adoption of health care management practices followed quite satisfactory. Further creation of awareness in sheep farmers to pursue scientific detecting, use of disinfectant, sanitary condition and conducting post-mortem to find specific diseases need to be improved greater extent by scientific method in semi-arid region.