Factors contributing to low survival rates of friesian breeds in Mella sub-county and Malaba town council, Tororo district.

Abstract

The study assessed factors contributing to the low survival rates of Friesians in Mella Sub-county and Malaba Town Council, Tororo District. It involved establishing the details Why this breed of animals is so much constrained in this area of study. The objectives of the study were basically to establish factors in the aspect of disease management and the feeding factors fault contribute to low survival of Friesians in the area of study. A cross sectional study was used and the data was collected using a well-designed questionnaire. It was conducted by taking a sample size of one hundred Friesians farmers who were used as respondents. The research data was analyzed using the SPSS and Microsoft Excel to present the required information about the research. There was high rate of disease prevalence which affected the survival of Friesians, 95% respondents experienced disease in their Friesians and 76% of the respondents experienced death in the Friesian herds poor feeding and tethering systems of Friesians affect Friesians, 58% of the respondents had established pastures then the test used methods that are not dependable and inadequate to meet the feed requirement and quantity of feeds for Friesians. There were only 16% respondents who gave their animals. feeds above (1Okgs per day where as 55% of the respondents do not even know how much feed is given to then: animals per day. The need to. conduct strategic trainings on disease control, management of Friesians and feeding as a way of increasing knowledge and building the capacity of the farmers in handling these animals for their survival. There is need for increased pasture establishment to adequately feed-the animals. The shelter and 'general hygiene should be standard to curb down the possible disease risks in the management of Friesians