www.IndianJournals.com Members Copy, Not for Commercial Sale Downloaded From IP - 14.139.229.43 on dated 22-May-2015 Indian Journal of Small Ruminants MORTALITY PATTERN IN EXOTIC AND CROSSBRED SHEEP AT AN ORGANIZED FARM OF KASHMIR VALLEY T.K. Sarkar, S. Banik, T.A.S. Ganai, P.K. Singh and N. Ganai Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry S. K. University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (Kashmir) Shuhama (Alusteng), Srinagar-190006 (J&K) Manuscript received on 18.09.2007, accepted on 05.05.2008 ABSTRACT A study was carried out to analyze the mortality pattern in exotic and crossbred sheep at an organized farm in temperate climate of Kashmir valley for the period of 10 years (1994-95 to 2003-04). The overall mortality rate was 15.4 % and for Corriedale, South Down, Polled Dorset, Hampshire and Crossbred sheep the mortality rate was 17.2, 17.1, 16.4, 18.0 and 8.1 %, respectively. The male and female population showed an overall mortality rate of 20.1 and 13.1 %, respectively. The mortality rate was higher in the age group of less than one month and above six years. Breed, sex and age showed highly significant effect on the trait. The seasonal mortality rate was 29.5, 19.9, 34.7 and 15.9 during spring, summer, autumn and winter season, respectively. (Indian Journal of Small Ruminants 2008, (14(2): 218-223) Key words: Crossbred, Disease, Exotic, Management, Mortality Pattern, Sheep Profitable sheep production requires good management practices to ensure the overall well being of the flock. The adaptability of different exotic breeds under the prevailing environmental conditions is judged by the production potential and mortality rate at different stages of growth. The productivity of sheep is directly influenced by the mortality rate in the flock. Death of lambs during pre-natal, neonatal and peri-natal stages of life due to several specific and non-specific diseases affect the production potential and economy of sheep production. The mortality pattern also varied among different age group and season. Keeping in view a study was conducted to record the breed, sex, age and season-wise mortality pattern of sheep maintained at an organized farm in the temperate region of Kashmir valley. The main objectives of the study were to identify the risk periods and causative factors of mortality for formulation of better package of practices for effective health management at farm. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was conducted at an organized farm of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shuhama. The animals in the farm were maintained under extensive, semi-intensive and intensive system of management in different months 218