This study collated four-year data (2005 – 2008) on the incidence of some
reproductive problems in some farm ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats) as
influenced by species, season, age and year. The data were subjected to simple
descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis. The reproductive problems studied
were dystocia, retained placenta, vaginal prolapse, orchitis, abortion, pregnancy
toxaemia, uterine prolapse and hypocalcaemia. The results showed that there was
a significant (P<0.01) species effect on the incidence of these problems. For
instance, the incidence of dystocia was 0.0, 23.8 and 20.7 % in cattle, sheep and
goats, respectively. Incidence of retained placenta was highest in cattle (61.9%)
followed by goats (34.0%) and lowest in sheep (15.1%). Vaginal prolapse
recorded the highest incidence in sheep followed by goats and lowest in cattle.
Orchitis was highest in goats followed by sheep with the least incidence in cattle.
Similarly, there were more cases of abortion in goats (26.0%) as compared to
cattle (19.0%) and sheep (7.6%). The results on incidence of pregnancy toxaemia
and hypocalcaemia revealed that the sheep had higher cases than goats and cattle.
The results showed that incidence of these problems as affected by season did not
differ significantly in the three species. Similarly, there was no significant effect
on these problems with respect to year (2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008) of
occurrence. Age had significant (P<0.05) effect on the incidence these problems.
For instance, the young animals were more prone to vaginal prolapse, abortion
and dystocia then followed by adults, and the old having the lowest incidence.
Cases of orchitis, pregnancy toxaemia, hypocalcaemia, uterine prolapse and
retained placenta were more common in adults than in young and old animals.
However, the frequency of vaginal prolapse, abortion and uterine prolapse were
very low in the old as compared to other animals (young and adults). This study
concludes that these ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats) managed under the
smallholder husbandry system experienced colossal occurrence of these problems
which relegated them to reduced reproductive status. It is suggested that
improved management practices in terms of good nutrition, provision of adequate
housing and prompt control of pests and diseases would go a long way towards
addressing the incidence of these problems in smallholder flocks.