Study on major causes of kid mortality in Adami Tulu Jido Kombolcha District of Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross sectional investigation was conducted on the major causes of kids' mortality in Adami Tulu Jiddo Kombolcha district from May 2009 to June 2010 to determine the mortality rate and to identify the potential causes of kids' mortality in Arsi-Bale kids. A combination of multistage and purposive sampling techniques was used to select the study areas while simple random sampling was adopted to select experimental goats. The result revealed that from a total of 536 kids born over 12 months period about 22.4% (n=120) kids were died. Internal parasite assessment was conducted to see the infection level of parasites infection both on adult and kids of Arsi-Bale goats. Accordingly fecal sample was directly collected from the rectum of the experimental animal and its result showed that from a total of 39 adults and 158 kids fecal sample collected 59.6% ( n=118) was positive and 40.4% (n=80) was negative. The types of internal parasites mostly observed on goats of the study sites were identified as Strongly (90.5%), Monesia (23.3%), Coccidian (8.6%), Fasciola (1.7%) and Ascaris (0.9%). From the positive fecal samples, 51.5% (n=61) is highly infected, 19.5. %( n=23) moderately infected and 28.8 % (n= 34) had low infestation. Diarrhea, diseases and/or internal parasites were responsible for death of kids. Therefore, systematic control of internal parasites and diseases and periodic vaccination of goats against the identified diseases should be in place to improve productivity of goats for economic return.

Farmers’ perceptions of goat kid mortality under communal farming in Eastern Cape, South Africa

“…In addition to diseases, internal parasites and diarrhoea were also reported as the causes of the prevailing high rate of kid mortality in the study area. These results are in line with the reports by Sebei (2005) and Debele et al (2013) in North West and Ethiopia, respectively. Some internal parasites cause diarrhoea in young animals.…”

“…The results on infections and parasitic factors causing kid mortality are consistent with the previous results reported by Kusina et al (2000), Sebei (2005) and Debele et al (2013). The explanation to this could be inadequate veterinary advice and minimal veterinary treatment given to kids by communal farmers.…”

“…Similar results were reported by Mapiliyao (2010) in sheep. Gastrointestinal parasites were also considered as another major cause of morbidity and mortality in kids particularly under communal farming conditions (Sebei 2005;RumosaGwaze et al 2009;Debele et al 2013). According to farmers, high incidences of gastrointestinal parasites in kids are usually at the weaning age.…”

“…Also, according to the study by Debele et al (2013) in Ethiopia, parasite and diseases were the major cause of kid mortality. The explanation to this could be due to a lack of dipping and dosing of goats and kids.…”

“…Low survivability and high mortalities of kids in communal areas result in low weaning percentages (El-Abid and AbuNikhaila 2009). Mortality rate of kids from birth to weaning is one of the most crucial factors in the economic process of goat farming in communal areas (Debele et al 2013), with kid mortality rates as high as 40 % having been reported (Mamabolo and Webb 2005). The high mortality rates of kids in the communal areas could be attributed to poor veterinary services, minimal veterinary treatment and poor supervision of goats and kids in the veld.…”