Studies on mortality pattern in buffalo calves
Loading...
Date
2009-05-30
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani
Abstract
The present investigation entitled " Studies on mortality pattern in
buffalo calves" was undertaken to study the mortality pattern in Murrah and
Surti buffalo calves and factors affecting mortality viz., breed, period of birth,
season, sex, cause of mortality and age. The data generated at Dairy Unit,
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science, Marathwada
Agricultural University, Parbhani for the period from 1985 to 2004 were used
for present investigation. The significance of various factors was tested by
Chi-square test. It was observed that the overall highest mortality was
observed in period P1 followed by P2, P3 and P4. Among the breeds Murrah
buffalo calves suffered more in period P2 followed by P~, P3 and P4. Whereas
in case of Surti buffalo calves highest mortality was observed in period P1
followed by P2, P3 and P4. There was significant differences among the losses
in three different seasons. The mortality was more in winter born calves,
followed by summer season, while it was less in rainy season. The mortality
percentage of male and female showed significant differences. The overall
mortality was highest in period P1• In period P ~, P2, P4 male mortality was
more than female calves. In period P3 female calves has more mortality than
male claves. There was correlation between effect of cause and sex. Effects of
causes were significant in case of male buffalo calves. Total mortality of male
sex was higher than female sex due to cause class-II followed by class I, IV, V
and III. The mortality differences between both the sexes, causewise mortality
and in different age groups was found to be Non-significant in both Murrah
and Surti buffalo calves. The effect of causes and season was non significant.
From the present study it can be concluded that the mortality pattern
varied during different periods. High mortality was found in the age group of
0-30 days which is critical stage of life of the new born calves. The maximum
mortality was recorded in winter as calving season of buffalo coincides with
cold stress, hence newly born calves become susceptible to adversities of
weather. Higher mortality was observed in males. Period P1 showed higher
mortality than other three periods. The mortality percentage decreased in P2,
P3 and P4 period due to proper sanitation, feeding, management practices
followed on dairy unit. The main cause of mortality is pneumonia, pneumoer>
teritis. Winter season and rainy seasons provided favourable conditions to
grow disease causing micro-organisms.
Description
Keywords
null