A two-year study on the morbidity and mortality in Ganjam goats of Odisha associated with digestive diseases was carried out in Ganjam district of Odisha and the effects of year, season, sex, age group and rearing management on morbidity and mortality rates due to these diseases were examined using suitable statistical techniques. Morbidity and mortality data of 5845 Ganjam goats of 71 goat keepers and 5205 Ganjam goats of 104 goat keepers from four clusters of Ganjam district were recorded from April 2018 to March 2019 and April 2019 to March 2020, respectively, each year divided into three seasons: summer (March- June), rainy (July-October) and winter (November-February). These goats reared under both range system and semi-intensive rearing system were divided into three groups: kids (0-3 months), young stocks (3-12 months) and adults (above one year) based on age. Overall morbidity and mortality due to digestive diseases were higher in 2018-19 (11.3%, 1.6%) as compared to 2019- 20 (8.2%, 0.7%). Morbidity was the highest in young ones followed by kids and adults whereas mortality was the highest in kids followed by young ones and adults. In rainy season, morbidity was the highest followed by summer and winter. However, mortality occurred mostly in summer followed by rainy and winter season. Both morbidity and mortality were more prominent in male goats than females. Morbidity and mortality in Ganjam goats reared in range system were higher as compared to those reared in semi-intensive system.

Highlights

• Rainy and Summer season had higher relative risk of morbidity and mortality of digestive diseases compared Winter season.
• Kids and young age groups had higher risk of morbidity and mortality for digestive diseases.
• Semi-intensive system of management had lower risk of morbidity due to digestive diseases.