Mortality pattern of Murrah buffalo males in an organised herd

Aim: The present study was carried out to analyze mortality pattern in Murrah buffalo males in National Dairy Research Institute herd. Materials and Methods: Records of 1029 Murrah buffalo males born during the period 1997-2012, at NDRI, Karnal, were analyzed to study mortality pattern in different age groups. The percent of animal disposed from the herd due to different reasons was calculated by proportion using descriptive statistics. Results: The overall percent mortality in 0-1m, 1-2m, 2-3m, 3-6m, 6-18m, 18m-3 yr and >3 year age groups were 17.49, 5.99, 3.34, 5.42, 6.35, 2.59 and 3.93, respectively. The main cause of mortality in 0-1, 1-2, 2-3 and 6-18 m of age groups was respiratory problems (6.61%, 1.79%, 1.06% and 1.97% respectively). Main causes of mortality in age group 3-6 months were general debility (1.57%) followed by respiratory and digestive problems (1.22%), miscellaneous (0.87%), liver and urinary problems (0.17%). Mortality could not reveal any consistent trend across different seasons and period of birth. General debility (1.29%) followed by toxemia, liver problems and miscellaneous reasons were main causes of mortality in age group 18 m - 3 yr of age. In males above three years of age, general debility (2.81%) followed by respiratory problems (1.12%) were the main causes of mortality. Conclusion: Intensive health care and management is required for young male buffalo calves especially in hot humid months of rainy season and cold inclement weather conditions in winter months to minimize mortality due to respiratory and digestive problems.