Effect of wind protection during winter on growing lambs in semi-arid tropical region

Abstract

In the semi-arid tropical region, the winter is often associated with the cold wind. The physiology and production performance generally alter during winter in growing lambs. Therefore, the present study was initiated to assess the effect of wind protection during winter on growing lambs in a semi-arid tropical region. For this purpose, fourteen growing Malpura-cross lambs of 3–5 months of age with the body weight of 21.06 ± 1.07 kg were randomly divided into two groups viz, G1 (Control, lambs kept in four sides open shed) and G2 (lambs kept in the wind-protected shed at night). The experiment was carried out for forty-five days. Feed and water intake on a daily basis; physiological responses and body weight at the weekly interval, blood biochemical profile and plasma endocrine profile were measured for both the groups at fortnightly intervals. The feed conversion rate was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in G2 as compared to G1. The respiration rate at morning, afternoon and night, and pulse rate at afternoon reduced significantly (P < 0.05) in lambs kept in an open shed as compared to wind protected lambs. The rectal temperature was significantly (P < 0.05) higher at night in lambs kept in open shed. The plasma glucose level was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in lambs kept in the wind-protected shed as compared to lambs kept in an open shed. The plasma cortisol, tri-ido-thyronine, and thyroxine level did not differ (P > 0.05) between the groups. The comparable feed intake, body weight, blood biochemical and endocrine parameters of the growing crossbreed lambs of the native breed kept in open shed during winter indicated their adaptive capability in prevailing micro-environment during winter; however, they need to modify their physiological response as an adaptive strategy to combat cold stress. In this aspect, wind protection during the winter might be an effective option to protect the growing lambs.