Water content and turnover of identical twin Bos indicus and B. taurus in Kenya

Abstract

The water content and turnover of six pairs of identical twin cattle were measured in the Kenya highlands. Three pairs were stall fed, and one twin of each pair received water daily. Their water turnover averaged 14.21./24 hr. while the others watered each 4 days had an average turnover of 12.41./24 hr. These stall-fed animals used 74-132 ml./kg.0.82/ 24 hr., about one-third the water turned over by grazing cattle (261-364 ml./kg.0.82/24 hr.). There was little relationship between estimates of water intake measured from the trough and that derived from tritium dilution.Members of each grazing pair differed in weight by an average of 4.2% and their total body water by 5.9%, whereas the water turnover differed by only 2.2% amongst the twin pairs.