Prolificacy And Mortality Of West African Dwarf Goat (Wad) Raised Intensively In A University Livestock Farm

ABSTRACT

The production record of WAD goats raised intensively at MOUAU livestock farm was evaluated within a period of 9 years (1998-2006) Parameters of interest were prolificacy, pre and post weaning mortality rates among kids. Results obtained showed that there were 160 kidding with a total of 211 harvests. 104 singles, 48 twins and 2 triplets were obtained. Rainy season birth were 52.1% against 55.2% for dry season and pre and post weaning mortality was 71.1% and 17.76% for the period of study however pre and post weaning mortality during the rainy and dry season were 57% and 43% respectively. The causes of mortality were linked with diseases where pneumonia contributed 19.31% of cause of death, diarrhea 15.9%, and unknown cases contributed 11.4%. It therefore implies that reproductive wastage is high and can be reduced with good management.