Impact of Floor Space Allocation on Physiological Parameters in Post-Weaned Indigenous Lambs in an Intensive Production System
Anjali Arya *
Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Anand-388001, Gujarat, India.
R. J. Modi
Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Anand-388001, Gujarat, India.
M. M. Pathan
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Anand-388001, Gujarat, India.
P. M. Lunagariya
Livestock Research Station, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Anand-388001, Gujarat, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Sufficient space is important for ensuring humane treatment, limiting stress and maintaining animal health in intensive production systems. When animals are housed in restricted spaces, their ability to maintain internal physiological conditions may diminish, resulting in adverse physiological changes. An experiment was designed to study the effects of space allowance on the physiological parameters of post-weaned indigenous lambs under an intensive production system. Eighteen lambs aged 3 to 4 months were randomly assigned to three treatment groups (0.8 m², 0.7 m² and 0.6 m² per lamb). Physiological parameters were monitored at fortnightly intervals over the 210-day experimental period. The rectal temperatures of the experimental animals differed significantly (P<0.05) among treatments. Specifically, mean rectal temperatures in T1 (101.38±0.08) and T2 (101.40±0.08) were similar, whereas the T3 group (101.69±0.05) had a higher mean rectal temperature. Pulse rate did not differ significantly among treatment groups. The mean respiration rates were 30.25±0.23, 30.71±0.23, and 31.13±0.24 in T1, T2, and T3 treatment groups, respectively, indicating significant differences (P<0.05). In conclusion, this experiment demonstrated that space allowance significantly influenced certain physiological parameters in post-weaned indigenous lambs under an intensive production system, indicating that reduced space may induce thermal stress.
Keywords: Post-weaned indigenous lambs, floor-space allowance, intensive production system, rectal temperature, respiration rate, pulse rate, physiological responses, stocking density, thermoregulation, animal welfare