Preliminary studies on the Maltese small ruminant sector with emphasis on nutrition

Abstract

The Maltese dairy production underwent several changes in the years before the World War II and on to the fifties. A brief description of goats and sheep is presented, including their taxonomy, and also the characteristics of the Maltese breeds. Old husbandry techniques are described and, through surveys done in my research with local herdsman, information on the local breeds, feed, and husbandry is presented. This study also highlights the dairy population of goats and sheep, linked to the Maltese situation in that period of time, through available statistics. The uses of their products are also included in this research. An experiment on pastured goats was made to analyse the ash content, which is the total indigestible minerals excreted from the body, related to the time of pasture. The experiment is described and findings analysed in the last part of the study.