ESTIMATION DES PARAMETRES DEMOGRAPHIQUES DU CHEPTEL BOVIN DES EXPLOITATIONS DE LA COMMUNE DE MEHANNA (DEPARTEMENT DE TERA) AU NIGER

The aim of this study is to analyze the demographic parameters of Djelli zebu in Niger, sing the retrospective survey method of the last 12 months (12 Mo). The study covered 72 farms in three (3) villages in the Mehanna commune (Gakku, Guiringabey and Gnadouwel), Tera department. The results showed that the average size of the herds surveyed was 18.5 8.2 heads of cattle with a clear dominance of females (71.6%) compared to males (28.4%). Within this proportion of females, cows represent almost half of the herd (41.8%). The study showed that the first calvings were observed from 3 to 4 years of age (completed year), with a parturition rate estimated at 0.27 year^-1  0.03 or 32.49%. The calving rate recorded over the last 12 months is estimated at 0.52 year^-1  0.02 compared with low abortion and mortality rates for the herd as a whole, estimated at 0.015  0.001 and 0.031 year^-1  0.005 respectively. The average calving-to-calving interval was 701.92 days, or approximately 1 year 11 months. With regard to herd management, an overall exploitation and import rates of 0.156 year^-1  0.011 and 0.13 year^-1  0.01 respectively was estimated. These results show poor management of cattle herds in the study area due to the fact that cattle for these breeders are considered as an inheritance from old parents and above all which gives prestige to those who have a lot of them on the numerical level and therefore, it will be necessary to seek to conserve the maximum number of heads possible.