Effects of ventilation of the sheep house on heat stress, growth and thyroid hormones of lambs

KOLUMAN N., DASKIRAN I.

TROPICAL ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION, vol.43, no.6, pp.1123-1127, 2011 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 43 Issue: 6
  • Publication Date: 2011
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s11250-011-9811-7
  • Journal Name: TROPICAL ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.1123-1127
  • Keywords: Lamb, Thermal stress, Ventilation, Growth, T3 and T4 hormones, FATTENING PERFORMANCES, WELFARE
  • Çukurova University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Twenty single male Assaf lambs were divided into two groups and housed in semi-open barns. Air temperature averaged 35A degrees C. For 9 weeks after parturation, one group was cooled by fan between 1000 and 1600 hours and the other group was not cooled. Rectal and skin (head and testis) temperatures, respiration rate, and pulse rate were recorded twice daily. Lambs were weighed individually every week and levels of T3 and thyroxin were determined. Differences in rectal, head, and testis temperatures (P < 0.05) and respiration rates (P < 0.01) between the two groups were significant. Growth was affected positively by fan treatment, live weight increased by 15%, and cooled lambs had higher thyroxin levels.