Impact of different housing models on physiological responses of Saidi ewes under Upper Egyptian conditions

Abstract

A total of 40 Saidi ewes were used approximately 2 years of age and had an average initial body weight (BW) of 40 ± 2.46 kg. Ambient temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH%) were recorded simultaneously while measuring the physiological responses at the level of the surface of the animal. All physiological measurements were recorded at early morning at 6:00 AM and afternoon 12 PM. The lowest rectal temperature (RT°C) was recorded in semi open models at AM but results recorded that there was no significant differences in RT among the different housing models at PM. The highest temperature humidity index (THI units) was recorded in open and semi open housing models. The highest skin temperature (ST) was recorded in single roof housing model at AM. The lowest plasma total protein (TP) was recorded in open housing model and the same trend was recorded in globulin (GL). Results also showed that there were insignificant differences in albumin (AL) among different housing models.