Abstract

Aim: The study was aimed to identify the main health problems of the Boer goats since their introduction in Karusi Province.

Method and materials:  Study was conducted on 60 newly introduced Boer goats in Bugenyuzi Agriculture and Livestock Research Center. Purposive sampling for clinical and laboratory examinations and secondary data collection were used.

Results: Out of the 60 Boer goats used, 26.0% were found to be affected by one or more of the major health problems encountered. The relative prevalence of the disease problems in Boer goats was found to be 53.3%. Gastrointestinal parasites, keratoconjunctivitis, ticks, respiratory problems, and superficial abscesses were found to be the major health problems of Boer goats at Bugenyuzi Agriculture and Livestock Research Center with respective prevalence rates of 35.0, 20.0, 15.0, 11.7, and 10.0%. The occurrence of these problems was not significantly affected by the age or sex of the goats.

Conclusion: The high prevalence and diversity of health problems in Boer goats call for further investigations at Bugenyuzi Agriculture and Livestock Research Center towards a thorough identification of the different disease conditions and their respective causes followed by designing effective prevention and control strategies prior to the distribution of these goats to farmers.

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