MAHADEVAPPA D. GOURI)KANAKARAJA2023-12-302023-12-302022https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810205162The present experiment was conducted with 20 intensive and 20 extensive Kenguri sheep farms in Yadgir district of Karnataka. The welfare assessment as per AWIN (Animal Welfare Indicators) welfare assessment protocol for sheep was done at two levels- i) First level group (40minutes/herd) welfare indicators assessment revealed that, stereotypy (abnormal behaviour), social isolation, mild heat stress, panting, fleece cleanliness (very wet, filthy), fleece quality (fleece loss), faecal soiling (extensive soiling and dags), lameness (severe), lamb survival (lamb born live and dead; losses to weaning; minimum ewes mated and lambs reared) were significant at (P≤0.05) when compared between intensive and extensive rearing systems. ii) Second level individual (5minutes/sheep) welfare indicators assessment unveiled that, body condition score (emaciated, thin, good, fat), lesions to anterior part (ears, eyes, face/muzzle, head/neck) and anterior myiasis, lesions to posterior part (body, legs, teats) and posterior myiasis, anaemia and mastitis severity levels were significant at (P≤0.05) when compared between intensive and extensive rearing systems. The ethogram (basic behaviour patterns) was formed by observing the Kenguri sheep in the herd for a total of 300 hours, dividing into 6 hours per day (preferably during cooler parts of the day) observation. The results showed that, sheep exhibited 43 and 45 behavioural patterns in intensive and extensive rearing systems respectively, out of total 47 behavioural patterns. Veterinarians’ perceptions on welfare issues and other criteria were examined using a structured schedule. The constraints of sheep farmers in the study area were analysed consciously by using closed ended schedule through focused group discussion. The results of the experiment indicated better welfare, health status, general management and other practices of sheep under intensive system when compared to extensive system. Key words: Kenguri sheep, Welfare assessment, Ethogram, Socio-economic profile, Veterinarians’ Perception, Constraints of sheep rearingEnglishThesis