Matching health and performance in village goats and sheep in two contrasting locations in southwest Nigeria
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Interpretation of results from this study is constrained by the low numbers of observations for each species-month-age-location subclass; by unequal numbers of observations per subclass; and by the confounding of treatment type with location. Nevertheless, it does contribute a considerable amount of information that demonstrates a definite connection between health and productivity within species; contrasts the effect of disease on the productivity of different species; and contrasts the effect of disease on the very different age/physiological status of animal groups. Goats at Badeku were more productive than those at Fasola. Fasola had a higher disease challenge. The level of PCV, used as an indicator of health, was higher at Badeku than at Fasola. Lactating does had lower PCV levels, and higher infection rates of Trypanosomiasis, Babesia and gastrointestinal parasites than postweaner kids. Sheep had a greater gastrointestinal parasitic load than goats at Badeku, a negligible level of infection of Anaplasmosis and Trypanosomiasis, and approximately the same PCV levels as goats. They appeared to have a higher tolerance to infection since their productivity was greater than that of goats. Peaks in infection levels did not occur at the same time in goats and sheep. This is possibly due to different grazing habits resulting in ingestion of nutrients and parasites at differing times. Dipping and vaccination reduced mortality rates in both sheep and goats.
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goats, sheep, animal health, animal diseases, disease control, animal performance, age, mortality, mange, precipitation, temperature