Study on Mortality Pattern of Madras Red Sheep under Semi Arid Tropic Region

Mortality pattern in Madras Red sheep was studied for the period from 1995 to 2005. The overall mortality rate was 4.96% and it ranged between 2.85 and 10.59%. The pre and post weaning mortality was 27.89 and 72.11%, respectively. The mortality rate was higher in adult (50.26%) than the weaners (23.56%), lambs (13.87%) and hoggets (12.30%). Maximum mortality was observed during summer season (45.55%) followed by winter (37.43%), the northeast monsoon (10.47%) and the southwest monsoon (6.54%). Alimentary system disorder (30.10%) was the major cause of death in sheep followed by respiratory system disorders (21.99%).