Effect of protection against hot climate on growth performance, physiological response and endocrine profile of growing lambs under semi-arid tropical environment

In the hot semi-arid tropical region, extreme summer is a major constraint in sheep production. The growth performance of growing lambs is impaired during the summer. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the effect of protection against hot climate on growth performance, physiological response, and endocrine profile of growing lambs under semi-arid tropical environment. All the data in the experiment were presented as mean ± SE. Thirty Malpura lambs with the age of 122.7 ± 6.05 days and body weight of 19.52 ± 0.42 kg were allotted into three groups, viz. G1 (control, lambs kept in open area under tree shade), G2 (lambs kept in conventional asbestos-roofed shed), and G3 (lambs kept in designed shed). The allotment was based on their initial body weight so that the mean body weight of each group was similar. In all three types of protection, lambs were provided with sufficient space to move and social interaction. In asbestos-roofed shed (G2), all the four sides from ground to the roof were fenced with strong galvanized iron chain link. But in G3, all the four sides were constructed in a manner that there was 0.13 m air space between inner and outer solid brick columns of the wall up to 1.37 m height, and rest up to the roof was fenced with bamboo splint net. The air space between the two columns of the wall was filled with sand, and it was kept in moist condition by continuous water drips which provide extra evaporative cooling. The designed shed was basically constructed with bamboo. Tree shade was assured under the natural shades of large trees. The shaded area was protected by wire fences. The experiment was conducted for 45 days during very high temperature (May–June). The lambs were provided with ad libitum green fodder, dry roughage, 300 g concentrate, and ad libitum drinking water. The respiration rate at morning and afternoon, pulse rate at morning and afternoon and rectal temperature at afternoon was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in lambs of G3 as compared to other groups. The final body weight did not differ significantly between the groups, but average daily gain (g/day) was higher in G3 (150.06 ± 11.13) as compared to the G1 (109.69 ± 18.10). The feed conversion rate (FCR) was significantly (P < 0.05) better in G3 (5.49 ± 0.08) as compared to G1 (7.65 ± 0.08) and G2 (6.60 ± 0.08). The hemoglobin level was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in G1. The endocrine profile did not vary significantly (P > 0.05) among the groups, but insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was higher in G3. It can be concluded from this study the lambs provided with better protection during summer remained in more comfortable condition, showed better FCR, and although not statistically significant showed better growth performance.