Health challenges, mortality patterns, and factors affecting survivability of indigenous and crossbred goat strains managed on station in the central zone of Tanzania

Abstract

The study was designed to assess health challenges, mortality patterns, and factors influencing the survivability of Gogo white × Boer crossbred and pure Gogo white goats raised on the station at the Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI), Kongwa, Dodoma, Tanzania. Secondary data on mortality, diseases, and causes of goat mortality were collected spanning 10 years (2011–2021). A total of 658 goats (312 males and 346 females) were included in the study, comprising 452 Gogo white × Boer crosses and 206 pure Gogo white goats. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. The results revealed that the main cause of death was pneumonia (24.0%), followed by diarrhea (15.3%), poor nutrition (14.7%), and predation (13.3%). The overall average mortality rate for the entire study period was 22.80%. Additionally, the results showed that season significantly affected survivability, whereby kids born during the dry season had markedly reduced survivability by 3.78 folds at 95% CI of 2.54–5.62 compared to those born during wet season. Moreover, the year of birth significantly influenced survivability by 3.278-fold at 95% CI of 2.18-4.93. The study identified pneumonia, diarrhea, poor nutrition, and predation as the primary causes of mortality at TALIRI Kongwa. Crossbred goats (Gogo × Boer) were found to be more vulnerable to death compared to the local Gogo white breed. Furthermore, survivability was significantly affected by birth type (single or twin), season, and year of birth. The study recommends that improved management practices and better healthcare services should be addressed to reduce mortality rates and enhance the economic viability of goat production at the TALIRI Kongwa farm