Effect of adverse nutrition on the skin and wool follicles in Merino sheep

1964 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 788 ◽  
Author(s):  
AG Lyne

The effect of adverse nutrition on the body weight, skin thickness, and wool follicles of five groups of five Merino wethers has been observed over a period of 64 months in an experiment on the utilization of low quality roughage. All animals on the poorest diet (roughage containing 2.6% crude protein, ad lib.) were transferred to a recovery ration of lucerne chaff, wheat, linseed meal, and meat meal (33 : 33 : 20 : 13) at 6–9 weeks after the commencement of the experiment. Only three animals on the better diets needed this recovery ration. In general, changes in skin thickness paralleled changes in body weight. A marked increase in skin thickness which followed shearing was probably due to cold stress. Fibre shedding was a major feature of the reaction of the follicle population to adverse nutrition, but all afflicted follicles regenerated their fibres when the recovery ration was given. Primary (P) and secondary (S) follicles responded differently to adverse nutrition. Approximately 20 000 P follicles and 155 000 S follicles were examined. 1.4% of the P follicles and 9.%% of the S follicles showed evidence of shedding.

1957 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
PK Briggs ◽  
MC Franklin ◽  
GL McClymont

Dry adult Merino ewes were fed at daily or weekly intervals on oat grain at levels which provided 4.0, 3.0, or 2.0 lb starch equivalent (S.E.) per sheep per week. The experimental periods were 223, 223, and 181 days respectively. Differences between the mean body weights of the ewes a t the three levels of feeding were highly significant (P < 0.001). Body weight varied only slightly and no losses occurred in ewes fed weekly at the rate of 4.0 lb S.E. per head. Ewes fed daily a t this level had a significantly greater mean body weight (P < 0.001) a t the conclusion of the 223-day experimental period. The addition of a sodium chloride supplement did not improve the body weight or wool production of ewes fed weekly a t the level of 4.0 lb S.E. The mean body weight of ewes fed at the levels of 3.0 or 2.0 lb S.E. per head declined over the first 12 and 18 respectively and thereafter remained relatively constant. There were no significant differences at these levels of feeding between groups fed daily and weekly in respect of body weight, wool production, or survival rates. Ewes fed a t the level of 4.0 lb S.E. grew significantly more wool than those given 3.0 lb S.E. (P < 0.001). Losses were negligible in all groups except those fed a t the level of 2.0 lb S.E. In these groups there were few deaths in the first 16 weeks, but in the subsequent 10 weeks losses totalled 17.1 per cent. Ewes fed a t the level of 2.0 lb S.E. consumed their rations at a significantly slower rate (P < 0.01) than did those fed a t the level of 4.0 lb S.E.


1964 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 309-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. Stephenson

1. Body shape and carcass composition have been measured in a dated series of Romney-Southdown cross and Australian Merino sheep foetuses.2. Large differences in shape exist between the two breed groups and these result from growth rate differences in certain components of the bone and muscle tissue.3. Carcass composition at any particular foetal weight, however, is more uniform. In relation to body weight, the Merino has a higher proportion of bone in the body but the proportion of muscle is the same in both breed groups. Nevertheless, the distribution of muscle tissue is changed as there s i a higher proportion of muscle in the hind limb of the Romney-Southdown cross.


2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
R Adiwinarti ◽  
I P Kusuma ◽  
C M Sri Lestari

This research has been done during August 2004 - January 2005 at Laboratorium Ilmu Ternak Potong dan Kerja, Fakultas Peternakan Universitas Diponegoro Semarang. The study was set up to investigate the performance of ongole crossbred and Friesian Holstein crossbred young bulls fed concentrate and Napier grass hay. This research used 4 yearling ongole crossbred (PO) bulls with the initial body weight: 228,17 + 14,77 kg (CV = 6,47%) and 4 yearling friesian holstein crossbred (PFH) bulls with the body weight: 196,34 + 7,64 kg (CV = 3,89%). The Independent Sample Comparisons was used in this study. Those bulls were fed 30% hay of Napier grass and 70% concentrate made of “bungkil kelapa sawit” (80%) and rice bran (20%). The ration was given based on dry matter need, 2.5% of the body weight. Parameters observed were the average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (dry matter intake, crude protein intake, Total Digestible Nutrients’ 2 Sains Peternakan Vol.8 (1), Maret 2010 intake) and feed conversion. Data were analyzed using t-test; except for feed conversion was analyzed deskriptifely.The result indicated that those cattle fed concentrate and Napier grass had ADG and feed intake relatively similar. The average of ADG PO bulls were 0.21 kg and PFH bulls were 0.22 kg. Dry matter intakes of PO and PFH bulls were 3.33 kg/day and 2.83 kg/day. Crude protein intake of PO bulls were 0,45 kg/day and that of PFH bulls were 0,38 kg/day, whereas TDN intake of PO bulls were 1,93 kg/day and PFH bulls were 1,20 kg/day. Feed conversion of PO bulls was 15.86 and that of PFH bulls was 12.86. It can be concluded that the performance of Ongole crossbred and Friesian Holstein crossbred young bulls fed concentrate and Napier grass hay was similar. Those indicated that PFH bulls had productivity that was the same as PO bulls. Key words : Bulls, performance, feed intake, feed conversion


Author(s):  
Showkat A. Bhat ◽  
Bharat Bhushan ◽  
Narendra Kumar ◽  
S. A. Lone ◽  
Pranay Bharti ◽  
...  

The main aim of this study was to determine the role of Infrared lamps in cold stress alleviation during winter in Murrah calves. Ten newborn calves were randomly divided into two groups (G1 and G2) of five each. The calves of G1 were provided with no additional protection; however calves of G2 were protected against cold weather by using Infrared lamps. The body weight (kg) of calves was recorded at weekly interval. The blood samples collected at fortnightly interval were analyzed for Packed Cell volume (PCV, %), hemoglobin (Hb, g/dl), Total Serum Protein (TSP, g/l), albumin (g/l), globulin (g/l) and albumin globulin (A:G) ratio and hormones viz., triiodothyronine (T3, ng/ml), thyroxine (T4, ng/ml) and cortisol (ng/ml). The total body weight gain and average daily gain (ADG) was significantly (P<0.01) higher in G2 as compared to G1. The PCV values were significantly (P<0.05) higher on day 15 and day 45 in G1 than G2. The albumin and A:G Ratio were significantly (P<0.05) higher on day 60 and 45, respectively in G1 than G2. The cortisol levels were higher in G1 than G2 and differences were highly significant (P<0.01) on 15th day and significant (P<0.05) on 45th day. Significantly (P<0.01) higher values of T3 and T4 were observed on 15th and 45th day in G1 as compared to G2. On the basis of the results, it may be concluded that Infrared lamps can be effectively used to protect newborn calves from adverse conditions of winter and to improve their body growth performance.


1995 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Wilkinson ◽  
J. F. D. Greenhalgh

AbstractInformation on the chemical composition of Suffolk × Blackface lambs was collected and used to predict empty body (EB) component weights from empty body weight (EBW) and non-carcass (NC) component weights. EBW accounted proportionately for 0·94, 0·89 and 0·95 of the variation in EB crude protein, fat and energy content. A combination of NC component weights accounted proportionately for 0·94, 0·95 and 0·96 of the variation in EB crude protein, fat and energy content. EBW and a combination of NC component weights together accounted proportionately for 0·97, 0·97 and 0·98 of the variation in EB crude protein, fat and energy content. Chemical analysis of NC components is cheaper and easier than whole body analysis and provides a viable alternative to sample joint or specific gravity analysis.


1964 ◽  
Vol 4 (13) ◽  
pp. 129 ◽  
Author(s):  
MC Franklin ◽  
P McInnes ◽  
PK Briggs

Seeds of the annual species of Medicago were shown to be a valuable supplement for Merino sheep fed on a basal diet of low-protein cereal straw.The number of survivors, the change in body weight, and the quantity of roughage eaten by sheep given a supplement of Medicago seed, were similar to the results obtained with sheep given an equal quantity of linseed meal.


1967 ◽  
Vol 7 (26) ◽  
pp. 206 ◽  
Author(s):  
MC Franklin ◽  
P McInnes ◽  
PK Briggs

Merino wethers of 30 months of age were hand-fed in pens on low-(chaffed wheaten straw), medium-(84 per cent chaffed wheaten straw; 16 per cent chopped lucerne hay), and high-protein roughage (chopped wheaten hay, or 67.5 per cent chaffed wheaten straw : 32.5 per cent chopped lucerne hay) alone, or supplemented with wheat grain at daily or twice-weekly intervals. The experimental period was 26 weeks and emphasis was placed on the number of survivors, changes in body weight, and mean daily roughage intake. Data were also collected on wool production. No sheep survived on the low-protein roughage (LPR-2.7 per cent crude protein (CP) ). Seven out of 16 sheep in the medium-protein roughage group (MPR-5.2 per cent CP) survived for 26 weeks ; six of these, however, died in the following four weeks. All sheep survived on the two high-protein roughage diets (HPR(1) and HPR(2)-7.6 per cent CP). The wheat supplement increased the number of survivors in the LPR and MPR groups. There was no difference between results from the daily and twice-weekly supplemented groups. Mean daily roughage intake of the unsupplemented sheep increased at each level of protein in the roughage. Mean intake of chaffed wheat straw when fed alone was 220 g per sheep per day. The intake of the same straw when fed with chopped lucerne hay increased by 120 g per sheep per day in the group fed MPR, and by 344 g in the group fed HPR(1). The wheat supplement did not increase intake within any roughage group. Roughage intake was significantly decreased on the HPR(2) diet when a wheat supplement was given. Sheep fed HPR(2) grew more clean wool than sheep in the other unsupplemented groups. Differences between mean clean wool weights of daily and twice-weekly supplemented groups within each roughage group were not significant, but differences between the mean pooled wool weights of each supplemented roughage group were significant.


1982 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 355 ◽  
Author(s):  
IP Gregory

Heritabilities have been estimated for a large number of quantitative and qualitative wool and body traits recorded on two flocks of South Australian Merino sheep over a 12-year period. Data were unadjusted for fixed environmental effects and so the estimates are applicable to the heterogeneous populations found in most practical situations. Dam-offspring heritabilities of quantitative traits ranged from 0.15 for primary follicle number to 0.63 for body weight. Greasy and clean fleece weights, percentage clean yield, staple length, crimps per inch, fibre diameter, secondary and total follicle number, skin thickness, coefficient of variation of fibre diameter and secondary/primary follicle ratio had moderate to high heritabilities. Dam-offspring heritabilities of qualitative traits ranged from 0.12 for weather damage of the fleece to 0.75 for birthcoat. Total folds, face cover and hocks had high heritabilities, and wool character, type of staple formation and wool quality had moderate heritabilities. The main production traits (body weight, greasy fleece weight, yield, clean fleece weight, staple length, fibre diameter and total follicle number) were corrected for variation due to type of birth and age of dam and their heritabilities re-estimated. No change occurred in the half-sib heritabilities; dam-offspring heritabilities increased by an average of 0.05.


2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
R Adiwinarti ◽  
I P Kusuma ◽  
C M Sri Lestari

This research has been done during August 2004 - January 2005 at Laboratorium Ilmu Ternak Potong dan Kerja, Fakultas Peternakan Universitas Diponegoro Semarang. The study was set up to investigate the performance of ongole crossbred and Friesian Holstein crossbred young bulls fed concentrate and Napier grass hay. This research used 4 yearling ongole crossbred (PO) bulls with the initial body weight: 228,17 + 14,77 kg (CV = 6,47%) and 4 yearling friesian holstein crossbred (PFH) bulls with the body weight: 196,34 + 7,64 kg (CV = 3,89%). The Independent Sample Comparisons was used in this study. Those bulls were fed 30% hay of Napier grass and 70% concentrate made of “bungkil kelapa sawit” (80%) and rice bran (20%). The ration was given based on dry matter need, 2.5% of the body weight. Parameters observed were the average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (dry matter intake, crude protein intake, Total Digestible Nutrients’ 2 Sains Peternakan Vol.8 (1), Maret 2010 intake) and feed conversion. Data were analyzed using t-test; except for feed conversion was analyzed deskriptifely.The result indicated that those cattle fed concentrate and Napier grass had ADG and feed intake relatively similar. The average of ADG PO bulls were 0.21 kg and PFH bulls were 0.22 kg. Dry matter intakes of PO and PFH bulls were 3.33 kg/day and 2.83 kg/day. Crude protein intake of PO bulls were 0,45 kg/day and that of PFH bulls were 0,38 kg/day, whereas TDN intake of PO bulls were 1,93 kg/day and PFH bulls were 1,20 kg/day. Feed conversion of PO bulls was 15.86 and that of PFH bulls was 12.86. It can be concluded that the performance of Ongole crossbred and Friesian Holstein crossbred young bulls fed concentrate and Napier grass hay was similar. Those indicated that PFH bulls had productivity that was the same as PO bulls. Key words : Bulls, performance, feed intake, feed conversion


Author(s):  
A. R. Mukhiddinov ◽  
N. Sh. Kamolov

In the process of animal adaptation to changing environmental conditions, the hair cover, which is known to perform a heat-protective function primarily, plays a significant role. The hair cover of animals undergoes changes depending on the season of the year and the natural and climatic zone in which the animals live. It has its peculiarities in different species (breeds). The nature and features of the hair cover of animals are often used by scientists to compile zoological systematics, assess the health and constitution types of animals, their acclimatisation ability, etc. In this article, the authors reviewed age-related changes in weight, size, thickness and tightness of animal skins (changes in skin thickness from the ridge to the floor) and features of the hair cover of the skin’s yaks of Northern Tajikistan. The authors also noted that in all animals, the weight of hides increases in proportion to the rise in live body weight. The absolute importance of skins, up to the age of half a year of yaks, is almost two times higher than cattle. In yaks at one- and three years old, the thick- ness of skins at the standard point in these animals is somewhat comparable. But the thickness of the pelts in the collar and area of hiding yak next to the floor remains higher by about 25-40%. Yaks are known to have three main categories of hair: long hairs (in the abdominal region of the hide and on the tail), short hairs (on the rump, neck and back) and down inches (in all parts of the animal’s fur). Long coats are also the thickest. The hair length of newborn yaks is 187.60±2.66 mm, of one-year-old yaks 452.50±2.52 mm, and of six-year-old yaks, it reaches 475 mm. The authors determined the total amount of hair of different categories in the three topographic parts of the body: in the rump, the sum of hair is 1545 hair units; in the collar part, the sum of hair is 1590 hair units; in the abdominal area of the body the sum of hair is 1770 hair units. The collar and rump do not have long hairs, unlike the abdomen. Downy hairs are characteristic of all parts of the hide but predominate in the scruff and collar. The dynamics of age-related changes in the hair cover of yaks have been determined.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document