Effect of different bedding materials on cleanliness score and gastro intestinal parasitic profile of intensively reared Hassan lambs

Abstract

The study was carried out to ascertain the effect of different bedding material on cleanliness score and internal parasites in Hassan lambs. Eighteen, grower lambs of either sex with average body weight of 13.38 ± 0.54 kg and aged between 3-6 months were selected and allotted to three groups with six replications in each group and reared separately on three different bedding materials i.e. soil/mud (G I), crushed maize cob (G II) and ragi straw (G III). The animal’s body (side, back and legs) was observed fortnightly and each area was given score from 0 to 2 (0- Cleanest to 2- Dirtiest) to arrive at a comprehensive dirt score. Faecal droppings were observed daily and consistency was scored by using a diarrhoea score scaling system ranging 1 to 4 (1= Watery; 2 = Runny; 3 = Soft; 4 = Normal). The Gastro Intestinal parasitic load in terms of eggs per gram of feces (EPG) was determined at every three week interval. The highest dirt score was recorded in G III and G II lambs were cleaner than other two groups. The differences were significant between the groups. The lambs of G ? and G ? showed marginally higher diarrhoea score values, than G-? (P>0.5). The OPG values varied significantly between G I and G II during the experiment. The study showed better performance of lambs reared on ragi straw bedding material.