A STUDY ON EFFECT OF HOUSING SYSTEM ON THE PERFORMANCE OF WEANED NELLORE BROWN LAMBS
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Date
2023-03
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Abstract
An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of housing system on the dry
matter intake, body weights, average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, morphometry,
body condition scores, cleanliness scores, hoof condition and lameness scores,
conjunctival mucosa colour, faecal egg count, physiological parameters and behaviour of
weaned Nellore Brown lambs. Under this study, 20 weaned lambs of 3 to 7 months age
from Livestock Farm Complex of NTR College of Veterinary Sciences, Gannavaram
were randomly allotted to 2 groups viz., in slatted (T1) and moorum (T2) housing. The
study was carried out for a period of 90 days with an acclimatization period of 15 days
for lambs at sheep unit of Livestock Farm Complex (LFC).
The study revealed significantly (P<0.05) higher body weights (kg) in slatted
floor (17.03±0.38) compared to moorum floor (16.08±0.24). The overall mean
average daily gain (g) was 79.54±5.25 in slatted floor and 58.35±3.98 in moorum floor
which differed significantly (P<0.05). The overall mean DMI (kg) was significantly
(P<0.01) high in slatted floor (0.66±0.03) compared to moorum floor (0.59±0.02). The
overall mean FCR was 5.43±0.12 and 6.53±0.28 in slatted and moorum floors,
respectively which differed significantly (P<0.01).
The overall mean body length (cm) was 54.09±0.32 and 53.49±0.29 in T1 and
T2, respectively. The overall mean height at withers (cm) of slatted and moorum floors
was 9.40±0.33 and 59.28±0.29. The overall mean chest girth (cm) was 63.93±0.52 and
63.10±0.46 in slatted and moorum floors, respectively. The overall mean abdominal
girth (cm) was 65.87±0.44 and 64.90±0.44 in T1 and T2, respectively. The overall
mean thigh circumference (cm) was significantly higher (P<0.05) in slatted floor
(28.70±0.55) than moorum floor (26.44±0.36).
The initial mean BCS was 1.75±0.11 which was increased to 2.90±0.10 by the
end of the study period under slatted floor. The mean initial BCS was 1.70±0.11 which
was increased to 2.75±0.31 by the end of the study period under moorum floor. Overall
BCS of lambs was 2.35±0.65 and 2.19±0.53 in slatted and moorum floors,
respectively.
Cleanliness scoring of lambs was done based on two parameters viz., fleece
cleanliness and faecal soiling. Fleece cleanliness scores were significantly lower
(P<0.05) in the slatted floor (1.3±0.15) at the end of the experiment and also the overall
mean score was significantly lower (P<0.05) in slatted floor (1.10±0.54). The overall
mean faecal soiling scores were significantly (P<0.01) lower in T1 (1.28±0.11)
compared to T2 (1.77±0.61). The lower scores recorded in slatted floor indicated that
the lambs are cleaner compared to moorum floor. Higher incidence of hoof lesions was
observed in moorum floor (60%). The overall mean lameness score was significantly
higher (P<0.05) in T2 (0.32±0.07) compared to T1 (0.1±0.03). Colour of the
conjunctival mucous membrane was scored using FAMACHA chart to see the level of
anemia and it showed relatively lower scores under slatted floor (1.74±0.07) than
moorum floor (2.0±0.10). Faecal examination showed lower eggs per gram (EPG) under
slatted floor (155±68.85) compared to moorum floor (325±68.85).
The mean heart rate (beats/min) was 83.52±1.39 and 83.37±1.33 in slatted and
moorum floors, respectively. The mean pulse rate (beats/min) was 82.05±1.45 under
slatted floor and 82.27±1.41 under moorum floor. The mean respiration rate
(breaths/min) was 26.92±0.50 and 26.34±0.55, under slatted and moorum floors
respectively. The mean rectal temperature (0F) was 102.15±0.10 in T1 and 102.22±0.10
in T2. Housing system did not have any significant effect on the physiological
parameters.
The behavioural activities recorded in Nellore Brown lambs revealed that the mean
standing time (min/day) was 311.79±10.77 and 367.56±9.89 under slatted and moorum
floors, respectively. The mean lying time (min/day) was 803.08±13.64 under slatted floor
and 777.56±13.88 under moorum floor. The mean eating time (min/day) was 325.16±6.77
and 294.88±10.49 under slatted and moorum floors, respectively. It was observed that
significantly lower (P<0.05) standing time was present under slatted floor than moorum
floor. Relatively higher lying and eating time were present in slatted floor indicating more
comfort of the lambs compared to moorum floor.