Abstract

A longitudinal study was conducted, from October 2008 to April 2009, on 188 kids born from flocks of 50 randomly selected households in Aneno and Edokontola villages in Adamitulu Jedokombolcha district, mid rift valley, Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to estimate pre-weaning mortality, identify associated factors and establish possible causes of death in goat kids. Data collected were used to evaluate the effect of sex, birth weight, parity, type of birth and some management practices on pre-weaning mortality. All the factors, except sex of the kid, significantly (at least P<0.05) influenced the mortality of kids. Generally mortality increased (P<0.05) with parity.  There were more deaths in kids born in triplets than in twins and single litters. Management practices such as keeping new born kids with their doe near homestead, and separation of sick animals had significantly reduced (P<0.001) pre-weaning kid mortality. Mismothering was the most frequently suspected cause of mortality followed by pneumonia, enzootic ataxia, diarrhea, goat pox and predators. The study revealed the existence of very high kid mortality in the study area. Supplementation of multiple-bearing pregnant does and nursing does with multiple litters may be considered to reduce pre-weaning kid lose. 

Key words: Adamitulu, Ethiopia, goat, kid, mortality, pre-weaning.