Management factors influencing lamb survival from birth to weaning in two ecologically different resource-limited communal farming systems
- Authors: Lungu, Nobuhle
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Lambs Communal rangelands Lambs--Feeding and feeds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Animal Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11806 , vital:39108
- Description: The objective of the study was to determine the management factors influencing lamb survival from birth to weaning in two ecologically different resource-limited communal farming systems. An annual flock monitoring study in the sourveld and sweetveld regions was preceded by a household check-all-that-apply (CATA). Lamb management practices and constraints faced in raising lambs in the two regions were determined using the check-all-that-apply technique. The results showed that the majority of the households were male headed (75.70percent) and consisted of the elderly (˃50 years, 79.44percent) who were not employed (82.24percent) and had attended primary school (67.29percent). Wool production was ranked the most important reason for keeping sheep in the two regions. The CATA revealed that the management systems between the two regions differed significantly (p˂0.05) in terms of assisting sheep at lambing, attending to twin births and dipping of mature lambs. Farmers‘ age was associated with the type of management performed (p ˂0.05). None of the farmers in the two regions performed navel dipping. Some of the reported constraints in the sweetveld were theft, diarrhoea and drought while predators and cold weather were the major constraints in the sourveld. The CATA identified vaccination and dipping as the major missing practices in both regions. The study showed differences in the use and choice of CATA terms which suggests that a ―one-size-fits-all‖ approach to solving poor management and sheep production constraints is not applicable. In the monitoring study, the results showed that veld type had no significant effect on the birth weights (2.0±0.09 kg) of the lambs. Type of birth had a significant effect (p<0.05) on the birth weights of the lambs. Single born lambs were 0.41kg heavier (p<0.05) than twin lambs. Single born lambs, however, showed an improvement in weights at 90 and 120 days where they had slightly higher weights than single born lambs. Male lambs were significantly (p<0.05) heavier (2.3±0.12 kg) than the female lambs (1.7±0.06 kg) at birth. The lamb birth were highest (P<0.05) in the hot-dry season. Lambs born in the cold-dry season were the lightest (1.63±0.13 kg). Lambs born in the post- rainy and hot-wet season were not significantly different (P<0.05). Weaning weights were not affected by veld type, birth type and sex, but were affected by season of birth. The lambs born in the hot-dry season had the highest weaning weights. The sourveld had a total pre-weaning mortality of 10.6percent while the sweetveld had a total pre-weaning mortality of 14.2percent. Animal housing from both veld types was poorly designed in terms of security against stock theft, drainage, hygiene, overhead shelter from the rain as well as access to feed and water. It was concluded that lamb management practices in the two regions were not the same. Performance of lambs before weaning differed according to veld type which played a role in feed availability during different seasons.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Lungu, Nobuhle
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Lambs Communal rangelands Lambs--Feeding and feeds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Animal Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11806 , vital:39108
- Description: The objective of the study was to determine the management factors influencing lamb survival from birth to weaning in two ecologically different resource-limited communal farming systems. An annual flock monitoring study in the sourveld and sweetveld regions was preceded by a household check-all-that-apply (CATA). Lamb management practices and constraints faced in raising lambs in the two regions were determined using the check-all-that-apply technique. The results showed that the majority of the households were male headed (75.70percent) and consisted of the elderly (˃50 years, 79.44percent) who were not employed (82.24percent) and had attended primary school (67.29percent). Wool production was ranked the most important reason for keeping sheep in the two regions. The CATA revealed that the management systems between the two regions differed significantly (p˂0.05) in terms of assisting sheep at lambing, attending to twin births and dipping of mature lambs. Farmers‘ age was associated with the type of management performed (p ˂0.05). None of the farmers in the two regions performed navel dipping. Some of the reported constraints in the sweetveld were theft, diarrhoea and drought while predators and cold weather were the major constraints in the sourveld. The CATA identified vaccination and dipping as the major missing practices in both regions. The study showed differences in the use and choice of CATA terms which suggests that a ―one-size-fits-all‖ approach to solving poor management and sheep production constraints is not applicable. In the monitoring study, the results showed that veld type had no significant effect on the birth weights (2.0±0.09 kg) of the lambs. Type of birth had a significant effect (p<0.05) on the birth weights of the lambs. Single born lambs were 0.41kg heavier (p<0.05) than twin lambs. Single born lambs, however, showed an improvement in weights at 90 and 120 days where they had slightly higher weights than single born lambs. Male lambs were significantly (p<0.05) heavier (2.3±0.12 kg) than the female lambs (1.7±0.06 kg) at birth. The lamb birth were highest (P<0.05) in the hot-dry season. Lambs born in the cold-dry season were the lightest (1.63±0.13 kg). Lambs born in the post- rainy and hot-wet season were not significantly different (P<0.05). Weaning weights were not affected by veld type, birth type and sex, but were affected by season of birth. The lambs born in the hot-dry season had the highest weaning weights. The sourveld had a total pre-weaning mortality of 10.6percent while the sweetveld had a total pre-weaning mortality of 14.2percent. Animal housing from both veld types was poorly designed in terms of security against stock theft, drainage, hygiene, overhead shelter from the rain as well as access to feed and water. It was concluded that lamb management practices in the two regions were not the same. Performance of lambs before weaning differed according to veld type which played a role in feed availability during different seasons.
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Management practices, milk quality, haemato-chemical biomarkers of free ranging pregnant goats from three genotypes and linear body measurements of their respective kids
- Idamokoro, Emrobowansan Monday
- Authors: Idamokoro, Emrobowansan Monday
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Milk--Quality Biochemical markers Goat milk
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Animal Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11548 , vital:39082
- Description: The broad objective of this study was to assess farmers’ perceptions on the welfare and management practices of pregnant goats and to determine the effect of genotypes and physiological status on doe’s performance (blood metabolites and milk quality) and their respective kid’s linear body measurements of goats reared in an extensive system of production. A survey was conducted among 153 goat farmers to assess their perception on goat mortality and management practices during and after gestation period. The results from the survey showed that 98.7percent of the farmers depended on pastures to feed their pregnant and lactating does. Majority of the farmers (59.9percent) did not vaccinate their dams against diseases before using them for breeding purposes. An aggregate of 77.8percent respondents allowed their does to mate freely on the veld. Most of the respondents (75.2percent) kept their pregnant goats together with other flocks in mud floor pen (kraals) fenced with tree branches. Farmers indicated that, poor diet (32percent), disease (24 percent) and predators (15percent) were some factors that cause mortality in pregnant does. About 66.7percent respondents perceived that, quality diet is a factor that can boost the reproductive performance of pregnant goats. The haemato-biochemical parameters of Nguni, Boer and Non-descript goats at late and early lactation revealed that, Nguni goat had higher (P ˂ 0.05) values of red cell counts (13.37 x1011/L), haemoglobin (9.07 g/dL) and creatine kinase (269.54 U/L) compared to Boer (9.96 x 1011/L, 7.94 g/ dL and 132.16 U/L) and Non-descript goats (12.98 x 1011 /L, 7.85 g/ dL and 143.50 U/L), respectively. The Nguni goats also had higher (P ˂ 0.05) mean values of glucose (3.38 mmol/L), sodium (141.66 mmol/L) and urea content (5.51 mmol/L) compared to Boer (2.96 mmol/L, 135.70 mmol/L and 4.45 mmol/L) and Non-descript goats (2.50 mmol/L, 141.31 mmol/L and 3.90 mmol/L), respectively. The results of blood metabolites also revealed that, there was significant difference (P < 0.05) in the physiological status of goats. The late stage of pregnancy had higher mean values of red cell counts (14.44 x 1011 /L), haemoglobin (8.57 g/dL), haematocrit (0.67 L/L), glucose (3.12 mmol/L), sodium (141.74 mmol/L) and calcium content (2.37 mmol/L) compared to the early stage of lactation (9.77 x 1011/ L, 8.00 g /dL, 0.55 L/L, 2.77 mmol/L, 137.37 mmol/L and 2.23 mmol/L), respectively. Furthermore, it was revealed that, Nguni goats produced (1.2±0.09, 1.3±0.11 and 1.2±0.07 litres per day) more milk (P ˂ 0.05) at early, mid and late stages of lactation than Boer (0.6±0.10, 1.0±0.17 and 0.6±0.09 litres per day) and Non-descript (0.3±0.10, 0.3±0.12 and 0.3±0.09 litres per day) goats. There was significant difference (P ˂ 0.05) of genotypes on milk fat, milk magnesium and sodium contents among Nguni, Boer and Non-descript goats. Lactation stages had a significant effect (P ˂ 0.05) on some milk compositions (fat, protein, lactose and solid non-fat) and mineral profiles (Ca, Mg, Na, K, and Fe) of Nguni goats. Lactation stages had a significant effect (P ˂ 0.05) on fat, protein, lactose and solid non-fat content and mineral profiles (Ca, Mg, Na, K, and Fe) of Nguni goats. Milk protein content of Nguni goat was positively correlated to milk fat but, not in Boer and Non-descript goats. Milk quality parameters from the three goat genotypes possessed relatively moderate milk compositions and mineral profiles which is comparable to some exotic goat breeds. Nguni kids had higher mean weights (7.36 kg, 11.85 kg and 13.72 kg) than the Boer kids (5.20 kg, 7.18 kg and 10.20 kg) and the Non-descript goat kids (5.23 kg, 6.19 kg and 8.01 kg) at weeks 4, 6 and 8 after parturition, respectively. In terms of height at withers, the Nguni kids had higher mean values in heights (41.92 cm, 44.71 cm, 49.38 cm and 55.75 cm) than the Boer kids (35.67 cm, 37.14 cm, 42.40 and 44.20 cm) and the Non-descript kids (36.38 cm, 40.20 cm, 41.14 cm and 43.50 cm) at week 2, 4, 6 and 8 after parturition, respectively. Conversely, there was a positive correlation (P ˂ 0.05) between body lengths and live weights of Nguni goats and not in Boer and Non-descript goats. It was concluded from this study that, the indigenous Nguni, Boer and Non-descript pregnant goats were managed in poor conditions by communal farmers and the perceived causes of mortality of pregnant goats among others include poor feed, diseases and predators. In addition, the Nguni goats had higher mean values in some haematological parameters (red cell counts and haemoglobin) and serum biochemical profiles (glucose, sodium, urea and creatine kinase) than Boer and Non-descript goats during the periods of investigation. Nguni goats also produced more milk at the early and late stages of lactation compared to the Boer and Non-descript goats. The Non-descript goats had a higher mean value of milk fat compared to Nguni and Boer goats. Likewise, the Boer goats were observed to have higher mean value of milk magnesium and sodium content compared to Nguni and Non-descript goats. In terms of body weights and linear body measurments, the Nguni goat kids were superior compared to Boer and Non-descript goats.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Idamokoro, Emrobowansan Monday
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Milk--Quality Biochemical markers Goat milk
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Animal Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11548 , vital:39082
- Description: The broad objective of this study was to assess farmers’ perceptions on the welfare and management practices of pregnant goats and to determine the effect of genotypes and physiological status on doe’s performance (blood metabolites and milk quality) and their respective kid’s linear body measurements of goats reared in an extensive system of production. A survey was conducted among 153 goat farmers to assess their perception on goat mortality and management practices during and after gestation period. The results from the survey showed that 98.7percent of the farmers depended on pastures to feed their pregnant and lactating does. Majority of the farmers (59.9percent) did not vaccinate their dams against diseases before using them for breeding purposes. An aggregate of 77.8percent respondents allowed their does to mate freely on the veld. Most of the respondents (75.2percent) kept their pregnant goats together with other flocks in mud floor pen (kraals) fenced with tree branches. Farmers indicated that, poor diet (32percent), disease (24 percent) and predators (15percent) were some factors that cause mortality in pregnant does. About 66.7percent respondents perceived that, quality diet is a factor that can boost the reproductive performance of pregnant goats. The haemato-biochemical parameters of Nguni, Boer and Non-descript goats at late and early lactation revealed that, Nguni goat had higher (P ˂ 0.05) values of red cell counts (13.37 x1011/L), haemoglobin (9.07 g/dL) and creatine kinase (269.54 U/L) compared to Boer (9.96 x 1011/L, 7.94 g/ dL and 132.16 U/L) and Non-descript goats (12.98 x 1011 /L, 7.85 g/ dL and 143.50 U/L), respectively. The Nguni goats also had higher (P ˂ 0.05) mean values of glucose (3.38 mmol/L), sodium (141.66 mmol/L) and urea content (5.51 mmol/L) compared to Boer (2.96 mmol/L, 135.70 mmol/L and 4.45 mmol/L) and Non-descript goats (2.50 mmol/L, 141.31 mmol/L and 3.90 mmol/L), respectively. The results of blood metabolites also revealed that, there was significant difference (P < 0.05) in the physiological status of goats. The late stage of pregnancy had higher mean values of red cell counts (14.44 x 1011 /L), haemoglobin (8.57 g/dL), haematocrit (0.67 L/L), glucose (3.12 mmol/L), sodium (141.74 mmol/L) and calcium content (2.37 mmol/L) compared to the early stage of lactation (9.77 x 1011/ L, 8.00 g /dL, 0.55 L/L, 2.77 mmol/L, 137.37 mmol/L and 2.23 mmol/L), respectively. Furthermore, it was revealed that, Nguni goats produced (1.2±0.09, 1.3±0.11 and 1.2±0.07 litres per day) more milk (P ˂ 0.05) at early, mid and late stages of lactation than Boer (0.6±0.10, 1.0±0.17 and 0.6±0.09 litres per day) and Non-descript (0.3±0.10, 0.3±0.12 and 0.3±0.09 litres per day) goats. There was significant difference (P ˂ 0.05) of genotypes on milk fat, milk magnesium and sodium contents among Nguni, Boer and Non-descript goats. Lactation stages had a significant effect (P ˂ 0.05) on some milk compositions (fat, protein, lactose and solid non-fat) and mineral profiles (Ca, Mg, Na, K, and Fe) of Nguni goats. Lactation stages had a significant effect (P ˂ 0.05) on fat, protein, lactose and solid non-fat content and mineral profiles (Ca, Mg, Na, K, and Fe) of Nguni goats. Milk protein content of Nguni goat was positively correlated to milk fat but, not in Boer and Non-descript goats. Milk quality parameters from the three goat genotypes possessed relatively moderate milk compositions and mineral profiles which is comparable to some exotic goat breeds. Nguni kids had higher mean weights (7.36 kg, 11.85 kg and 13.72 kg) than the Boer kids (5.20 kg, 7.18 kg and 10.20 kg) and the Non-descript goat kids (5.23 kg, 6.19 kg and 8.01 kg) at weeks 4, 6 and 8 after parturition, respectively. In terms of height at withers, the Nguni kids had higher mean values in heights (41.92 cm, 44.71 cm, 49.38 cm and 55.75 cm) than the Boer kids (35.67 cm, 37.14 cm, 42.40 and 44.20 cm) and the Non-descript kids (36.38 cm, 40.20 cm, 41.14 cm and 43.50 cm) at week 2, 4, 6 and 8 after parturition, respectively. Conversely, there was a positive correlation (P ˂ 0.05) between body lengths and live weights of Nguni goats and not in Boer and Non-descript goats. It was concluded from this study that, the indigenous Nguni, Boer and Non-descript pregnant goats were managed in poor conditions by communal farmers and the perceived causes of mortality of pregnant goats among others include poor feed, diseases and predators. In addition, the Nguni goats had higher mean values in some haematological parameters (red cell counts and haemoglobin) and serum biochemical profiles (glucose, sodium, urea and creatine kinase) than Boer and Non-descript goats during the periods of investigation. Nguni goats also produced more milk at the early and late stages of lactation compared to the Boer and Non-descript goats. The Non-descript goats had a higher mean value of milk fat compared to Nguni and Boer goats. Likewise, the Boer goats were observed to have higher mean value of milk magnesium and sodium content compared to Nguni and Non-descript goats. In terms of body weights and linear body measurments, the Nguni goat kids were superior compared to Boer and Non-descript goats.
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