Mortality analysis and herd growth in Indian dromedary breeds

Abstract

Records belonging to 1024 dromedary over a span of about 22 years managed at the centre were analysed to envisage the major threats during different stages of life in different breeds and sexes. Analyses revealed that differential breed mortality had occurred (χ2 =19.594, P<0.01). No preferential sex mortality was observed (χ2 =0.8767, P>0.05). Chi-square variance test indicated highly significant effect (χ2 =39.4574, P<0.01) of age group on mortality. The mortality was maximum in adults above 3 years of age (0.2029) followed by 0–1 year (0.1943) and 1–3 years age group (0.0875). Of the total camels died, 38.4% died in the first year of their life followed by 13.8% in 2nd Year, 5.5, 5.5 and 5.2%, respectively in the 3rd to 5th year. Of the camels that succumb to death in the first year, 49.5% died in the first month of their life followed by 15.3% in the 2nd month, 11.7% in the 3rd month. The major threats during first year of life were identified as pneumonia, heat stroke and enteritis. The mortality due to different systems differed significantly (χ2 =318.35, P<0.01). Maximum mortality (41.39%) was due to the involvement of digestive system followed by respiratory system (22.36%). The average annual herd growth was 8.53%. The standard death rate in the four genotypes viz. Bikaneri, Jaisalmeri, Kachchhi and Arab-cross was 4.80, 3.01,3.63 and 10.49%, respectively. Scientifically planned breeding and improved health management would improve the situation and increase productivity.