Characterization and Pattern of Culling in Goats

Abstract

In order to describe the proportion and pattern of culling in commercial goatherds, this survey was carried out in an industrialized goatherd in Torbat-e-Jam, Iran, over a period of 18 years from 1996 to 2013. In total, the data of 3945 goats were used in this study. Finally, out of all samples, 499 (12%) goats were culled. The involuntary culling was performed mainly due to shortage disorders (3.8%), viral disorders (3.3%), microbial diseases (2.8%), and other disorders (2.1%). Sheep pox was the most important reason (64%) for culling due to viral disorders. Tick paralysis was the most common parasitic disease that contributed to culling and responsible for 88% of parasitic disorders. On the other hand, enterotoxemia accounted for 55% of microbial disorders is considered the most common cause of culling. The high proportion of culling due to shortage disorders, especially nutritional deficiencies should be considered the most important cause of culling. It requires precautionary measures and planning in order to reduce the aforementioned rate.