Pre-weaning mortality and productivity indices for goats and sheep on a Masai group ranch in south-central Kenya

Abstract

ABSTRACT In an examination of the productivity of goats and sheep on a Masai group ranch in Kenya, estimated least-squares means for pre-weaning mortality were 28·6% for goats and 32·1% for sheep. Three productivity indices based on total live weight of young produced per female per year, per kg female per year and per kg metabolic weight per year gave values of 11·1 kg, 410 g and 0·99 kg for goats and 14·1 kg, 473 g and 1·18 kg for sheep. The effects of environmental variables on these indices, the comparative advantage accruing to the variables, mortality, reproductive success and weight gain were used to construct a proposed set of interventions for the improvement of small ruminant production in south-central Kenya.