CALVING PATTERNS OF N’DAMA COWS IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The calving patterns, calving and postpartum anoestrus intervals calving percentages and calf mortality of N’Dama cows in a cattle herd belonging to the Federal College of Agricultural, Akure were examined for the 1991 – 1995 calving periods. A total of 128 cows were involved. Calving patterns were irregular from year to year and calving percentage varied from 45 to 65% with a mean of 54.69% while calf mortality was between 6.25 and 11.11% during the period. Calving intervals were 786 ± 44.99 and 712 ± 14.70 days (1993 and 1995). Value for days open were 506 ± 44.99 and 432 ± 14.70 days (1993 and 1995) for the same years. The results of the study are suggestive of inefficient reproduction within the herd.