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Effect of prolonged intermittent water restriction on the reproductive performance of ewes in the Indian desert

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

J. P. Mittal  and
P. K. Ghosh
J. P. Mittal
Affiliation:
Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, India
P. K. Ghosh
Affiliation:
Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, India
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Abstract

The reproductive performance of female Magra and Marwari sheep of the desert areas of north-western India was studied in relation to intermittent water deprivation, for a period of 39 months during which four breedings were completed. The control group received an ad libitum supply of water every day, while the water-restricted group was provided with water on the same 2 days each week only throughout the experimental period, except during the monsoon season. All the ewes were maintained on cultivated Cenchrus ciliaris pasture. No ill effect was noticed on the general health of the animals. Reproductive measures such as incidence and duration of oestrus, length of the oestrous cycle, conception rate, lambing rate, length of gestation, post-partum interval, inter-lambing period, post-lambing weight of ewes and birth weight of lambs were not significantly affected by the imposed water deprivation. The dailywatered ewes had a slightly, but not significantly higher gain in body weight than the water-restricted ewes. It wa^ concluded that ewes of these two breeds could be maintained on a twice weekly watering schedule for prolonged periods of time without having any adverse effect on their reproductive performance.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 43 , Issue 2 , October 1986 , pp. 255 - 260
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1986

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