Foetometrics and Economic Impact Analysis of Reproductive Wastages in Ruminant Species Slaughtered in North-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract A study was conducted to assess the foetometric characteristics and reproductive wastages in ruminant livestock slaughtered in Maiduguri. The volume of animals slaughtered and the corresponding rates of pregnancy wastages were recorded. The gestational stages of the foetuses wasted were determined by the measures of their respective Crown Rump Length (CRL) and Weights (W). There were 420 and 28 pregnant does and cows slaughtered respectively. The CRL and weights of both caprine and bovine foetuses recovered were 7 to 37 cm and 1 to 4 Kg; and 10 to 83 cm and 2 to 10 kg respectively. The rate of pregnancy wastage was higher (21%) among the does than the cows (15%) with the highest (p 0.05). The economic cost of the total foetal wastages in the present study was estimated at US$ 559,440 annually, suggesting that the impact of such wastages could be worrisome nationwide. It is therefore critical that remedial measures should be put in place to forestall the occurrence of this ugly situation in the Nigerian livestock economy.