Effects of exercise and intermittent watering on the water and feed intake of sheep

This experiment was conducted to investigate the water requirement of exercising sheep. Nine Merino ewes were allocated into three groups differing in water supply after exercise, group 1(G1) supplied water ad libitum, group 2 (G2) supplied with water twice a day, and group 3 (G3) supplied with water once a day. The ewes were exercised outdoors using a circular exercising machine at a speed of 5 km/h for 1 hour for 12 consecutive days. Total daily water intake (TDWI) of animals in G3 was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of those in G1 and G2. TDWI of the 2 later groups was not different. TDWI of G3 was about 60% of that of G1. Feed intake of G3 was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of the other two groups. Immediately after exercise, rectal temperature CRT) of animals in G1 was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than those in the other groups. Respiration rate (RR) of animals in all three groups was not significantly different. Faecal moisture of animals in G3 was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those in the other groups. The results indicate that for optimum productivity sheep should be given water at least twice a day.