Article Abstract

Volume 24, No. (2), 2014 (April)
NON-GENETIC FACTORS INFLUENCING REPRODUCTIVE TRAITS AND PRE-WEANING MORTALITY OF LAMBS AND KIDS UNDER SMALLHOLDER MANAGEMENT, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
G. Deribe, G. Abebe*, and A. Tegegne**

G. Deribe, G. Abebe, and A. Tegegne*

Southern Agricultural Research Institute, Areka, P.O. Box 79, Ethiopia
*Department of Animal and Range Sciences, P. O.Box 5, Hawassa University
**International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), P.O.Box5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Corresponding Author: deribeg2000@yahoo.com
DOI: NA
Page Number(s): 413-417
Published Online First: April 01, 2014
Publication Date: April 01, 2014
ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of non-genetic factors on litter size, age at first parturition (AFP), parturition interval (PI), seasonality of parturition, and pre-weaning mortality rate of sheep and goats flock with 587 kids and 467 lambs owned by 60 households. The litter size, AFP and PI (months) of lambs were 1.52+0.04, 12.43+0.1, 9.19+0.08, respectively, while the corresponding values were 1.47+0.04, 11.95+0.13 and 9.05+0.08 for kids. The average pre-weaning mortality rate was 14.84 and 12.59% for lambs and kids, respectively. Ewes of parity three had (p <0.05) higher litter size than parity one. Does having parity four and five had (p <0.05) higher litter size than parity three while does and ewes having parity three had (p <0.05) higher litter size than parity one. Site and season influenced litter size (p <0.5) and pre-weaning mortality of (p <0.01) lambs and kids. Birth weight (p <0.05) and parity influenced (p <0.01) pre-weaning kid mortality. To exploit reproductive potential of dams and enhance rural income from small ruminants, improved management measures have to be warranted.

Keywords: Litter size, Kids, Lambs, Non-genetic factors,Parturition, Southern Ethiopia
Indicators
Metrics

Cite Score: 1.3

JCR Year: 2025

Indexing
Status

Web of Science (SCIE)

SCOPUS (Q3)

Journal Metrics
Current

Journal Impact Factor: 0.5

HEC Category: W

ISSN Details
Verified

Print ISSN: 1018-7081

Electronic ISSN: 2309-8694

Search the Journal

Use the fields below to search for articles by Title, Author, or Keywords.