The general aim of this study, which focused on goat fattening, was to investigate, as an initial trial, the weight performance of goats, about which very little is known, with a view to developing sustainable technical and economic proposals for extensive Sahelian farming systems. The methodology was based on weekly measurements of the bucks’ weight performance in an experimental batch of 11 bucks fed a ration based on local feed resources and a control batch. The control lot was monitored in parallel under the normal conditions of the area’s usual extensive rearing practices. The results showed that the animals in the control batch did not regain weight, with a 3% loss in body weight. In the experimental batch, body weight varied progressively with an average increase of 7 kg per buck. The Consumption Index, which ranged from 6 to 18 kg of dry matter per kg of growth depending on the duration of fattening, shows the sharp efficiency of goats in converting local fodder resources into animal protein. The physical and ethnic characteristics of the animals had a significant influence on their increased economic value. Older, larger and medium-weight Sahelian bucks contributed more to maximising foreign exchange. The average daily gain and gross profit were higher when the duration of fattening was limited to six weeks. After this period, the profit (2047 F CFA on average per billy-goat) fell linearly, resulting only in economic losses from the 9th week onwards. Taking into account the optimum duration and the criteria for choosing the animal will lead to overall improvements in the profitability of fattening goats.

In order to analyze the fattening practices and commercial speculations of sheep on the occasion of the Muslim holiday (Aïd El Kebir) commonly known as Tabaski, an investigation is carried out three months before the holding of this festival in the course of the year 2020 in the Tahoua region in Niger. The survey is carried out on a sample of 300 sellers / resellers and buyers from the urban commune of Tahoua and the peripheral village of Badaguichiri. The most important and least important option scaling method was used to analyze the weight of preferences of actors in the sheep fattening value chain. Sheep and the commercial activity of Tabaski sheep remain 100% male prerogative for sellers / resellers and 90% for buyers. The study reveals that sheep fattening is an activity subject to very strong commercial speculation as part of the Tabaski rite. The breed, the color of the coat, the overweight and the conformation of the animals are the preferred criteria in marketing and which are unanimous among sellers and resellers as well as buyers. These criteria come into play in the determination, selection and pricing of sheep for Tabaski. Also, out of a total of six genetic types belonging to four inventoried Sahelian sheep breeds, the Oudah breed is the most presented and appreciated in local markets and outlets. The renewed financial margin linked to commercial speculation around the Tabaski sheep is growing with the increase in the size of the animals. This dynamic of sheep prices can be used by producers and importers as a useful commercial database for scheduling sales at times that open the door to commercial speculation.