Economic viability of compensatory growth strategies in small ruminant animal production in north-eastern Nigeria

This study assessed the economic viability of compensatory growth (CG) strategies in small ruminant production in North-Eastern Nigeria. A mixed-methods research design was employed, integrating controlled feeding trials with stakeholder interviews to evaluate both biological performance and factors influencing adoption. Twenty small ruminants (10 sheep and 10 goats) were randomly assigned to either a control group receiving conventional feeding or an experimental group subjected to two months of feed restriction followed by two months of unrestricted feeding. Data on feed intake, body weight changes and production costs were collected, while interviews with 100 small ruminant producers explored socio-cultural and institutional determinants of adoption. Results indicated that animals under the CG regime achieved higher body weight gain (6.8 kg compared with 4.2 kg) and average daily gain (50.4 g/day compared with 33.3 g/day) while consuming less feed (94.3 kg compared with 107.5 kg). Economically, the CG strategy generated higher net returns (₦32,405.7 compared with ₦21,132.5) and a superior cost–benefit ratio (2.17 compared with 1.77), with t-test analyses confirming statistical significance (p < 0.05). Despite these advantages, adoption was constrained by high feed costs, limited access to credit, inadequate extension and veterinary services, poor infrastructure, and socio-cultural factors such as education and traditional beliefs. The study concludes that CG feeding is both biologically and economically viable, and adoption can be enhanced through targeted training, credit access, and institutional support. The study recommends targeted training, improved access to credit and affordable feed, strengthened extension and veterinary services, and community engagement to enhance adoption and sustainability of CG feeding among smallholder farmers.