Mortality in Galla Goat Production System in Southern Rangelands of Kenya: Levels and Predictors

John Manyeki; Bosco Kıdake; Benson Muleı; Simon Kurıa

doi:10.56430/japro.1128747

EN

Mortality in Galla Goat Production System in Southern Rangelands of Kenya: Levels and Predictors

Abstract

Herd health and adaptability are of concern in animal production in the tropics because of the persistent exposure to multiple stresses of low quality and quantity feeds, heat stress, high disease, and parasite incidences, poor husbandry, and breeding practices; the combined effects of these factors is high livestock mortality. High health-related mortality has been frequently reported as the major impediment to livestock production and thus the aim of this article is to investigate the vital infectious diseases and non-infectious factors that account for the majority of deaths which is crucial in determining mortality control strategies. The study applies a descriptive, Kaplan-Meier method, and truncated regression analysis using an eight-year retrospective data spanning from 2014 to 2021 was applied for this analysis. The results indicate infectious diseases as the most important cause of Galla goat mortality. The mean monthly and annual mortality rates are higher and the pre-weaning mortality of Galla goat appeared to be one of the major constraints hampering the development of replacement stock. The risk factors considered for high mortality were the age and sex of the kids. Among the infectious diseases analyzed, bacterial, parasitic, and non-specific infectious diseases were identified as the important causes of Galla goat mortality, while the non-infectious conditions included malnutrition and thermal/cold shock. The analysis provided an improved insight into animal-health-related factors which once addressed could reduce mortality and hence optimize animal husbandry performance in Galla goat production systems. Interventions in Galla goat health and husbandry are recommended to control kids' mortality.

Keywords

Galla goat, Infectious disease, Kaplan-Meier method, Kenya, Mortality rate, Non-infectious diseases

Supporting Institution

None

Project Number

None

Thanks

The authors are grateful to the researchers who collated the bare results and provided further data, specifically Patricia Chege, Robert Langat, and David Musangi. We also extend our gratitude to the animal health and production staff of the respective livestock boma for their support in data collection.

References

Abot, M. D. (2020). Factors influencing adoption of artificial insemination by smallholder livestock farmers in dryland production systems of Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).
Adelöf, J., Ross, J. M., Zetterberg, M., & Hernebring, M. (2021). Survival-span method: How to qualitatively estimate lifespan to improve the study of aging, and not disease, in aging studies. Frontiers in Aging, 2, 724794. https://doi.org/10.3389/fragi.2021.724794
Aganga, A. A., Omphile, U. J., Chabo, R. G., Kgosimore, M., & Mochankana, M. (2005). Goat production under traditional management in Gaborone agricultural region in Botswana. Journal of Animal & Veterinary Advances, 4(5), 515-519.
Alemnew, E., Yitagesu, E., Goshme, S., & Aydefruhim, D. (2020). Retrospective study on kid mortality and associated risk factors of kid survival of newly introduced Boer goat breed in North Shewa Ethiopia. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 32, 7.
Asselbergs, M., Jongejan, F., Langa, A., Neves, L., Afonso, S. (1993). Antibodies to Cowdria ruminantium in Mozambican goats and cattle detected by immunofluorescence using endothelial cell culture antigen. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 25(3), 144-150. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02236232
Bunter, K. L., Johnston, D. J., Wolcott, M. L., & Fordyce, G. (2013). Factors associated with calf mortality in tropically adapted beef breeds managed in extensive Australian production systems. Animal Production Science, 54(1), 25-36. https://doi.org/10.1071/AN12421
Carles, A. B., & Schwartz, H. J. (1982). Levels of fertility and mortality, and factors affecting them, of the Small East African Goats in a nomadic pastoral system in Northern Kenya. Third International Conference on Goat Production and Disease. Tucson.
Dongfang, L., Jianjun, Z., & Yingchun, S. (2017). Truncation method for TSVD with account of truncation bias. Acta Geodaetica et Cartographica Sinica, 46(6), 679. https://doi.org/10.11947/j.AGCS.2017.20160268
Ershaduzzaman, M., Rahman, M. M., Roy, B. K., & Chowdhury, S. A. (2007). Studies on the diseases and mortality pattern of goats under farm conditions and some factors affecting mortality and survival rates in Black Bengal kids. Bangladesh Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 5(1-2), 71-76. https://doi.org/10.3329/bjvm.v5i1.1316
Fentie, T. (2016). Assessment of young stock mortality in major livestock production systems of Ethiopia. Retrieved May 15, 2022, from https://agri-learning-ethiopia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/YSM-Fentie-et-al.pdf

Girma, D., Misgana, D., & Feyisa, H. (2011). Effect of different factors on mortality rate of Arsi-Bale kids in Mid Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Global Veterinaria, 6(1), 56-60.
Gitau, G. K., O'Callaghan, C. J., McDermott, J. J., Omore, A. O., Odima, P. A., Mulei, C. M., & Kilungo, J. K. (1994). Description of smallholder dairy farms in Kiambu District, Kenya. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 21(2), 155-166. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-5877(94)90004-3
Goel, M. K., Khanna, P., & Kishore, J. (2010). Understanding survival analysis: Kaplan-Meier estimate. International journal of Ayurveda Research, 1(4), 274-278.
Greene, W. H. (2010). Limited dependent variables-Truncation, censoring, and sample selection. In W. H. Greene (Ed.), Econometric analysis (pp. 833-902). Pearson.
Grzesiak, W., Adamczyk, K., Zaborski, D., & Wójcik, J. (2022). Estimation of dairy cow survival in the first three lactations for different culling reasons using the Kaplan-Meier method. Animals, 12(15), 1942. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12151942
Gulliksen, S. M., Lie, K. I., Løken, T., & Østerås, O. (2009). Calf mortality in Norwegian dairy herds. Journal of Dairy Science, 92(6), 2782-2795. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2008-1807
Hailu, D., Mieso, G., Nigatu, A., Fufa, D., & Gamada, D. (2006). The effect of environmental factors on pre-weaning survival rate of Borana and Arsi-Bale kids. Small Ruminant Research, 66(1-3), 291-294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2005.09.024
Heckman, J. J. (1979). Sample selection bias as a specification error. Econometrica: Journal of the Econometric Society, 47(1), 153-161. https://doi.org/10.2307/1912352
ILCA (International Livestock Centre for Africa). (1990). Livestock systems research manual - Volume 1. https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstream/handle/10568/4317/wp12-vol1.pdf?sequence=1
Kaplan, E. L., & Meier, P. (1958). Nonparametric estimation from incomplete observations. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 53, 457-481. https://doi.org/10.2307/2281868
Kocho, T. K. (2007). Production and marketing systems of sheep and goats in Alaba, Southern Ethiopia (Doctoral dissertation, Hawassa University).
Mayer, D. G., McKeon, G. M., & Moore, A. D. (2012). Prediction of mortality and conception rates of beef breeding cattle in northern Australia. Animal Production Science, 52(5), 329-337. https://doi.org/10.1071/AN11204
Mlimbe, M. E., Hyera, E., Ochanga, P. O., Nguluma, A. S., Marwa, L. J., Rugaimukamu, A. P., Godfrey, J. D., Ngabo, M. S., & Shirima, E. J. M. (2020). Study on the causes and pattern of sheep mortality under farm conditions in Northern Tanzania. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 32(10), 168.
Mulei, C. M., Gitau, G. K., & Mbuthia, P. G. (1995). Causes of calf mortality in Kabete area of Kenya. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, 62(3), 181-185.
Ngila, P., Njarui, D. M., Musimba, N. K., & Njunie, M. (2016). Performance of Galla goats fed different cultivars of Brachiaria in the coastal lowlands of Kenya. Journal of Fisheries and Livestock Production, 5(1), 210. https://doi.org/10.4172/2332-2608.1000210
Nkedianye, D., de Leeuw, J., Ogutu, J. O., Said, M. Y., Saidimu, T. L., Kifugo, S. C., Kaelo, D. S., & Reid, R. S. (2011). Mobility and livestock mortality in communally used pastoral areas: The impact of the 2005-2006 drought on livestock mortality in Maasailand. Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice, 1(1), 17. https://doi.org/10.1186/2041-7136-1-17
Ocaido, M., Otim, C. P., & Kakaire, D. (2009). Impact of major diseases and vectors in smallholder cattle production systems in different agro-ecological zones and farming. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 21(9), 155.
Odhiambo, M. O. (2013). The ASAL policy of Kenya: Releasing the full potential of arid and semi-arid lands-An analytical review. Nomadic Peoples, 17(1), 158-165. https://doi.org/10.3167/np.2013.170110
Otte, M. J., & Chilonda, P. (2002). Cattle and small ruminant production systems in sub-Saharan Africa. A systematic review. https://www.fao.org/3/y4176e/y4176e.pdf
Ouédraogo, A., Zampaligré, N., Mulubrhan, B., & Adesogan, A. T. (2022). Assessment of peri‐urban livestock producers’ willingness to pay for improved forages as cash crops. Agronomy Journal, 114(1), 63-74. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20953
PACIDA (Pastoralist Community Initiative and Development Assistance). (2020). Galla Goat breed to boost resilience. Building on indigenous knowledge and institution. https://pacida.org/galla-goat-breed-to-boost-resilience/
Perez-Razo, M. A., Sanchez, F., & Meza, C. (1998). Factors affecting kid survival in five goat breeds. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, 78(3), 407-411. https://doi.org/10.4141/A97-049
Petros, A., Aragaw, K., & Shilima, B. (2014). Pre-weaning kid mortality in Adamitulu Jedokombolcha District, Mid Rift Valley, Ethiopia. Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, 6(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.5897/JVMAH13.0211
Reinhammar, R. (2019). Estimation of regression coefficients under a truncated covariate with missing values (Bachelor’s degree thesis, Uppsala University).
StataCorp, L. P. (2016). STATA Software (version 14.1).
Svensson, C., Linder, A., & Olsson, S. O. (2006). Mortality in Swedish dairy calves and replacement heifers. Journal of Dairy Science, 89(12), 4769-4777. https://doi.org/10.3168/JDS.S0022-0302(06)72526-7
Tembely, S. (1998). Small ruminant production in Ethiopia: Prospects for improving productivity. 5th National Conference of Ethiopian Society of Animal Production. Addis Abeba.
Thumbi, S. M., Bronsvoort, M. B., Kiara, H., Toye, P. G., Poole, J., Ndila, M., Conradie, I., Jennings, A., Handel, I. G., Coetzer, J. A. W., Steyl, J., Hanotte, O., & Woolhouse, M. E. (2013). Mortality in East African shorthorn zebu cattle under one year: Predictors of infectious-disease mortality. BMC Veterinary Research, 9, 175. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-6148-9-175
Tibbo, M. (2000). Livestock production constraints in a moist sub-agro-ecological zone (M2-2) with special reference to goat production. Conference: Opportunities and Challenges of Enhancing Goat Production in East Africa. Awassa.
Uilenberg, G. (1983). Heartwater (Cowdria ruminantium infection): Current status. Advances in Veterinary Science and Comparative Medicine, 27, 427-480.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Agricultural Engineering (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

John Manyeki ^*
0000-0002-4625-6509
Kenya

Bosco Kıdake This is me
0000-0002-6198-6294
Kenya

Benson Muleı This is me
0000-0002-7805-248X
Kenya

Simon Kurıa This is me
0000-0003-4045-4763
Kenya

Publication Date

December 31, 2022

Submission Date

June 10, 2022

Acceptance Date

October 6, 2022

Published in Issue

Year 2022 Volume: 3 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.56430/japro.1128747

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA57GH67TU

APA

Manyeki, J., Kıdake, B., Muleı, B., & Kurıa, S. (2022). Mortality in Galla Goat Production System in Southern Rangelands of Kenya: Levels and Predictors. Journal of Agricultural Production, 3(2), 48-57. https://doi.org/10.56430/japro.1128747

AMA

1.Manyeki J, Kıdake B, Muleı B, Kurıa S. Mortality in Galla Goat Production System in Southern Rangelands of Kenya: Levels and Predictors. J Agri Pro. 2022;3(2):48-57. doi:10.56430/japro.1128747

Chicago

Manyeki, John, Bosco Kıdake, Benson Muleı, and Simon Kurıa. 2022. “Mortality in Galla Goat Production System in Southern Rangelands of Kenya: Levels and Predictors”. Journal of Agricultural Production 3 (2): 48-57. https://doi.org/10.56430/japro.1128747.

EndNote

Manyeki J, Kıdake B, Muleı B, Kurıa S (December 1, 2022) Mortality in Galla Goat Production System in Southern Rangelands of Kenya: Levels and Predictors. Journal of Agricultural Production 3 2 48–57.

IEEE

[1]J. Manyeki, B. Kıdake, B. Muleı, and S. Kurıa, “Mortality in Galla Goat Production System in Southern Rangelands of Kenya: Levels and Predictors”, J Agri Pro, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 48–57, Dec. 2022, doi: 10.56430/japro.1128747.

ISNAD

Manyeki, John - Kıdake, Bosco - Muleı, Benson - Kurıa, Simon. “Mortality in Galla Goat Production System in Southern Rangelands of Kenya: Levels and Predictors”. Journal of Agricultural Production 3/2 (December 1, 2022): 48-57. https://doi.org/10.56430/japro.1128747.

JAMA

1.Manyeki J, Kıdake B, Muleı B, Kurıa S. Mortality in Galla Goat Production System in Southern Rangelands of Kenya: Levels and Predictors. J Agri Pro. 2022;3:48–57.

MLA

Manyeki, John, et al. “Mortality in Galla Goat Production System in Southern Rangelands of Kenya: Levels and Predictors”. Journal of Agricultural Production, vol. 3, no. 2, Dec. 2022, pp. 48-57, doi:10.56430/japro.1128747.

Vancouver

1.John Manyeki, Bosco Kıdake, Benson Muleı, Simon Kurıa. Mortality in Galla Goat Production System in Southern Rangelands of Kenya: Levels and Predictors. J Agri Pro. 2022 Dec. 1;3(2):48-57. doi:10.56430/japro.1128747

Cited By

Sustainable Sheep and Goat Farming in Arid Regions of Jordan

Ruminants

https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants4020017

Pre-weaning goat kid mortality in communal production systems: a multifactorial synthesis of causes, risk factors, and mitigation strategies

Frontiers in Animal Science

https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2026.1722183

Farmer perceptions on goat kids pre-weaning mortality in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa

Frontiers in Animal Science

https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2025.1729041