ABSTRACT
Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of intermittent watering on Baluchi lambs, regarding their performance, blood metabolites, and nutrient digestibility. Methods: Twenty male Baluchi lambs, 120 ± 5 days of age and 29 ±2.2 kg body weight were randomly assigned to four watering treatments: (T1) free access to water during the day, (T2) watered ad libitum twice a day, (T3) watered ad libitum once a day, (T4) watered ad libitum once every two days. The experiment lasted 42 days. Results: water restriction led to reduction in weight gain, DMI, water consumption, Water/DMI (p<0.05). Rectal temperature and respiration rate non influenced (p>0.05). aldosterone, cortisol, insulin hormone affected by treatments (p<0.05). Serum glucose, creatinine, total protein and globulin not affected (p> 0.05). while observed significant difference among T3 with other treatment in BUN (p<0.05). significant differences were observed in serum cholesterol and triglyceride between T4 and other groups (p< 0.05). There was a significant difference between T4 and T1 and T2 in albumin serum (p< 0.05). RBC WBC non influenced by water restriction (p< 0.05). However, PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC and hemoglobin influenced by treatments (p< 0.05). sodium and chloride of serum was significantly higher in T4, and there were significant differences among the treatments (p< 0.05). But there were no differences among the treatments (p> 0.05), with regard to calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium. Digestibility of ADF, NDF, CP and OM was different among T3, T4 and other treatments (p< 0.05), while no differences were found in EE digestibility among treatments (p> 0.05). There was a significant difference between T4 and other groups and between T4 and T1 regarding fecal output and urine exertion respectively. Conclusion: This results implies that Baluchi lambs can tolerate water restriction up to once a day for at least 28 days without harmful effects.
