<div><strong>Background:</strong> Most of the shepherds in Telangana follow extensive rearing system, thereby intake of nutrients by the animal is minimal while grazing. In this context, Azolla, an unconventional feed with high protein and nutritive value may meet the nutritional demand of sheep and help in gaining optimum body weight at an early age in grazing system of management. Therefore, the present study was aimed to study the changes in haematological and blood biochemical parameters of lambs with azolla meal supplementation under grazing based production system.<br />
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<strong>Methods: </strong>Eighteen weaner ram lambs were divided in to three experimental groups <em>i.e</em>., T1, T2 and T3 with six lambs in each group, such that average group weights were uniform. T1 group was control with no azolla supplementation while in T2 and T3, azolla was supplemented at the rate of 10 and 20% of dry matter intake, respectively. Duration of experimental feeding was 120 days. The mean haematological and blood biochemical studies were done by collecting the blood samples before the start, in the middle and at the end of the experiment.<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> The haematological parameters like PCV, Hb, RBC and WBC showed no significant difference between the groups. The mean total protein at the end of the experiment was significantly (p&lt;0.01) higher in T3 group as compared to T2 and T1 groups. The mean albumin value in the middle and at the end of the experiment was non significantly higher in T3 group followed by T2 and T1 group. The mean BUN value at the end of the experiment was non significantly lower in T3 group followed by T2 and T1 group.</div>


<div>Effect of Azolla (<em>pinnata</em>) Supplementation on the Haematological and Blood Biochemical Parameters of Deccani Ram Lambs Reared under Grazing Based Production System</div>


<div style="text-align:justify"><strong>Background:</strong> The winter chill in temperate zones of the country affects animal production. It is understood that during cold winter animals have to maintain their body temperature through increased heat production, thus energy partitioning towards the production is compromised. Since sheep has a thick wooly coat that insulates the animal from harsh ambient temperatures, hence present study was undertaken to assess the impact of housing during cold winter on basic physiological, hemato-biochemical indices and growth in crossbred sheep in temperate Kashmir.&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> Twenty crossbred weaners of same age, sex and body weight were selected and divided into two groups of ten animals each. One group of sheep was managed under conventional closed shed and another group was managed under open fenced shed during winter from January to March. All the animals were maintained on a uniform nutritional regime. Physiological, hemato-biochemical parameters, body surface temperature, body weight and stress hormones were measured fortnightly.<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> Body weight of animals was significantly higher in closed shed (21.04&plusmn;0.23 kg) as compared to open shed (18.20&plusmn;0.19 kg). Heart rate, respiratory rate, body surface temperature differed significantly among the groups. NLR was significantly higher in animals under open shed (0.70) as compared to closed shed animals (0.63). Significant difference was observed in stress hormone cortisol with higher values in open shed animals (12.44&plusmn;0.07 ng/ml) than in closed shed animals (9.97&plusmn;0.08 ng/ml). No significant difference was observed in plasma total protein and A/G ratio, however, glucose was significantly higher in animals of open shed as compared to closed shed. Present study revealed that housing management during winter in sheep was essential to maintain production.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div>


Effect of Azolla (pinnata) Supplementation on the Haematological and Blood Biochemical Parameters of Deccani Ram Lambs Reared under Grazing Based Production System

Housing Effect on Growth, Physiological and Blood Indices in Crossbred Sheep During Winter