Vol. 10, Issue 4 (2021)

Author(s):
E Tharuntej, N Rajanna, A Sarat Chandra and D Nagalakshmi

Abstract:
A study was conducted to evaluate the behaviour of Deccani lambs on different flooring material. Behaviour is the important indicator of animal welfare. Eighteen growing Deccani lambs of either sex with uniform body weight of 12.61±0.04 kg and aged between 3 to 6 months were selected from the Sheep and Goat unit of Livestock Farm complex. These lambs were randomly allotted to three flooring types viz., Mud floor (control, T1), Concrete floor (T2) and mud floor with rubber mats (black, rubber material, 8 mm thick (T3). The behaviour of lambs was recorded with help of Video cameras and digital video recorder (model: DS – 7B04HQHI-K1). The data on standing time (min) and percentage of standing was significantly (P<0.01) higher on concrete floor than mud and rubber mat floors. Resting time (min) and percentage was significantly (P<0.05) higher on the rubber mat floor than on the concrete. Eating, drinking and licking behaviour were similar among the three flooring materials. It was noticed that lambs reared on rubber mat floor were more comfortable than other two flooring material, hence this can be used an alternate flooring material to rear the sheep in intensive farming.