Genetic and non-genetic factors affecting abnormal births in Karan Swiss cattle

Based on 4696 calving records of 1399 Karan Swiss cows, the incidence of abnormal birth was found to be 5.4%. The genetic group of cows, period, season and parity of calving had highly significant effect on the rate of abnormal births. The effect of sire was also significant. About 15% of the total cows had abnormal births during their stay in the herd and most of them (14%) aborted only once. The estimate of heritability and repeatability of the trait were found to be very low.