Response of Yankasa sheep to various lengths of water deprivation

Abstract

SUMMARY The effects of various lengths of water deprivation were studied with Yankasa sheep fed either a high roughage or a high concentrate diet in two experiments. Water was given once in 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. Free water intake decreased linearly ( P < 0·01) as the period of water deprivation increased but feed intake was not similarly affected. There was a marked decrease in live-weight gain and consequently a decline in feed efficiency (kg gain/kg feed). In the metabolism study, there was a tendency towards reduced mean faecal and urinary nitrogen excretion, faecal moisture content and increased mean nitrogen retention and nitrogen and dry-matter digestibilities as the period of deprivation increased. Rams given water once in 72 and 96 h were very inactive and dull and one and three rams respectively, died of severe dehydration from those treatments in Expt 2.