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A note on the adaptability of native and cross-bred sheep to hot summer conditions of semi-arid and arid areas

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

Manohar Singh ,
T. More ,
A. K. Rai  and
S. A. Karim
Manohar Singh
Affiliation:
Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar 304 501, India
T. More
Affiliation:
Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar 304 501, India
A. K. Rai
Affiliation:
Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar 304 501, India
S. A. Karim
Affiliation:
Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar 304 501, India
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Summary

Relative adaptability of Chokla and Rambouillet × Chokla half-breds was compared by observing their responses on exposure to summer stress for 6 days and also under accentuated stress by deprivation of drinking water till the animals lost 30% of their body weight. Responses of both the breed groups were similar on 6 days exposure. Accentuated summer stress resulted in decreased feed intake followed by 15, 26 and 31% loss in body weight on 1st, 2nd and 3rd day of exposure, respectively. Progressive decline in faecal moisture, increase in rectal temperature and decrease in morning respiration rate were also noted in both the breeds while an increase in pulse rate was recorded only in the cross-breds. Increase in respiratory or pulse rate for unit rise in rectal temperature was found to be higher in the cross-breds. On accentuated thermal stress, haematocrit values were higher in the cross-breds and blood potassium concentration was higher in the Chokla while blood glucose decreased in both the groups. Under the conditions of short-term exposure to summer stress the cross-breds maintained homoeothermy as well as the Chokla.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 99 , Issue 3 , December 1982 , pp. 525 - 528
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1982

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