Abstract
This study was conducted in dairy farms in Khartoum state in order to determine the major causes and risk factors associated with calves’ mortality. The main results revealed that out of 2,310 animals a highest mortality rate was in Hilat kuku 2.16% (n = 50), followed by Alrudwan and Alseleit 1.73% (n = 24) and 1.04% (n = 40), respectively. Application of analytical statistic using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant difference between the mean of the three sites. The most dominant clinical signs in calves was pneumonia, with prevalence rate of 1.08% (n = 25), 1.08% (n = 25) and 0.079% (n = 18) in Alseleit, Hilat kuku and Alrudwan, respectively. In contrast, diarrhea was not observed in two sites. The difference was statistically significant (X2 = 95.265, P-value = 0.00). Most of the respondents (owner) of the questionnaire survey had a primary level regarding education; Hilat kuku 29.3% (n = 22) and Alseleit 26.7% (n = 20). Further more, most of them had experience of more than 3 years in dairy farms; Hilat kuku 33.3% (n = 25) and 29.3% (n = 22) for the rest of the sites. Education level and experience were found to be statistically significant (X2 = 8.067 and 3.261, P-value = 0.089 and 0.089, respectively). Some risk factors associated with calves’ mortality rate with regard to management were observed in dairy farms in Khartoum state. For instance, a high significant level (X2 = 17.910, P-value = 0.00) was obtained for feeding of the calves which mainly depended on milk; 33.3% (n = 25) for Alseleit and Hilat kuku and 22.7% (n = 17) for Alrudwan. Moreover, dealing with dead calves was also found to be highly significant (X2 = 11.949, P-value = 0.003) and most of the respondents did nothing regarding this point; Alseleit 25.3% (n = 19) and Hilat kuku 14.7% (n = 11). In contrast, there no significant level (P > 0.05) was recorded for hygiene, quarantine and presence of veterinary services. Key words: Risk factors, calves mortality, dairy farms, Sudan.
Highlights
This study was conducted in dairy farms in Khartoum state in order to determine the major causes and risk factors associated with calves’ mortality
The main results out of 2,310 calves investigated revealed that a high mortality rate in Hilat kuku 2.16% (n=50) was recorded, followed by Alrudwan and Alseleit 1.73% (n=24) and 1.04% (n = 40), respectively
Low calf mortality was seen in herds owned by older and more experienced managers which were in accordance with Heinrichs and Radostits (2001)
Summary
Calf diseases that cause morbidity and mortality are the results of complex interaction of the management practices. Different managemental and environmental factors were reported to affect significantly, calf morbidity and mortality, these include: colostral feeding, housing, calving assistance, production system, herd size, season and hygiene of microenvironment (Shiferaw et al, 2002). The mode of passive transfer in neonates varies with the type of placentation and in the case of neonatal calves; it is based on an immediate postpartum ingestion of antibody rich colostrum (Tizard, 1995). The age of the calf is the most important factor affecting morbidity and mortality, approximately 75% of the mortality in dairy animals under one year of age occurs in the first month of their life (Heinrichs and Radostits, 2001)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
