Effect of Different Factors in Mortality of Lambs and Kids in High Hill of Nepal

Abstract

The objective of the study was to study the major causes of lambs and kids mortality in high hill of Nepal. Data pertaining to various factors supposed to be concerned with mortality among lambs and kids were obtained from the record of the Sheep and Goat Research Program (SGRP), Jumla, Nepal, for the period from 2014 to 2019 (6 years). Lambs of different breeds (Romney marsh, Coopworth, Romney*Baruwal, Polworth*Baruwal, Coopworth*Baruwal) and kids of Sinhal, Chyangra, Sinhal*Chyangra, Chyangra*Sinhal were used for the investigation. The overall average lamb and kid mortality among different breeds were 24.54% and 28.02% respectively, 3.48% higher in kids than in lambs. In the case of lambs, higher mortality was observed in pure exotic breeds (Romney marsh and Coopworth) and cross exotic breeds (Romney*Baruwal, Coopworth*Baruwal, Polworth*Baruwal) than the indigenous breed (Baruwal). In the case of kids, the Sinhal breed was found the minimum susceptible breed with the least mortality (14.41%). The highest mortality (33.05%) was observed in Chyangra, followed by Chyangra*Sinhal and Sinhal*Chyangra with mortality percentages of 27.12% and 25.42%, respectively. In both lambs and kids, male mortality was found higher than female mortality. Among lambs, male mortality and female mortality were 56.15% and 43.85%, respectively. Similarly, among kids, male mortality and female mortality were 55.93% and 44.07%, respectively. Almost 60% of lamb mortality and 55% of kid mortality were observed in the summer monsoon and early autumn (from 16 June to 15 October). The least kids and lambs losses were found in late autumn with values of 5.35% and 5.93%, respectively. Pneumonia and parasites were found the major causes of loss in lambs and kids.