Foetal wastage in food animals slaughtered at Nsukka Municipal abattoir, Nigeria

This study was conducted to evaluate foetal/pregnancy losses following slaughtering of food animals at Nsukka Municipal Abattoir Enugu State, Nigeria over a period three months (April June). The pregnancy status each animal determined tentatively by visual observation and palpation the exposed uterus after slaughtering. Attempts were made recover embryos from dams with structures suggestive flushing. Foetuses recovered slaughtered cattle, goats pigs. ages foetuses grouped according stage gestation. A total 2711 within which comprised 1303 (48.06%) 756 (27.89%) pigs 652 (24.05%) goats. percentages female 19.41, 49.74 91.26 for goals, respectively. Of these figures, 7.43%, 8.78% 40.34% cows, sows does pregnant, Similarly 78 uteri flushed, 4, 10 7 pregnant resulted in loss 605 foetuses; 417 goats, 174 14 amounts possible economic N5, 946,000.00 or $37,396.23. Reasons advanced included financial needs, scarcity high cost feed ignorance physiological animals. It concluded that reduce foetal area, educating farmers, provision portable diagnostic facilities enforcing law prohibiting are vital.