Damaged pen floors reduce pregnancy rates in Garut sheep: A comparative study across ram breeds

pen floor natural mating pregnancy rate Garut sheep

Authors

  • Mokhamad Fakhrul Ulum
    ulum@apps.ipb.ac.id
    Division of Reproduction and Obstetrics, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Ali Omar Alahmad Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Hama, Hama City, Syria, Syrian Arab Republic
  • Adelaide Jose Pereira Cristovao Animal Health Department, Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa'e (UNTL) Dili, Timor-Leste, Timor-Leste
  • Surya Kusuma Wijaya Study Program of Veterinary Paramedic, Vocational School, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia, Indonesia

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Pen floor conditions are crucial for the success of natural mating in livestock. This study compared the effects of damaged floors, with holes and uneven surfaces, versus undamaged, stable floors on pregnancy rates of Garut ewes (n=89) mated with rams of various breeds, such as Dorper (n=4), Batur (n=1), Garut (n=4), and Garut×Batur crossbred (JxBat; n=2). Rams were housed with 3–16 ewes for 45–60 days, and pregnancy was assessed via ultrasonography. The results showed that ewes on undamaged flooring had significantly higher pregnancy rates (100.0%) than those on damaged flooring did (85.3%). In all ram breeds, damaged pen floors negatively affected mating and reduced reproduction. Regular inspection and maintenance of pen flooring during mating periods are essential for optimizing the fertility of Garut sheep.

How to Cite

1.
Ulum MF, Alahmad AO, Cristovao AJP, Wijaya SK. Damaged pen floors reduce pregnancy rates in Garut sheep: A comparative study across ram breeds. ARSHI vet lett [Internet]. 2025 May 27 [cited 2026 Jun. 6];9(2):59-60. Available from: https://journal.ipb.ac.id/index.php/arshivetlett/article/view/65559