Effect of body protection on physiological indices and growth performance of Gir crossbred calves during winter.

摘要

The highest value of rectal temperature was 38.14 degrees C in bedding + jacketing group and the lowest 37.81 degrees C in control group. The average values of the rectal temperature of Gir crossbred calves did not differed significantly within the treatment groups. The highest respiration rate was 25.89 in bedded + jacketed group and the lowest 25.21 in control group. However, the average values of respiration rate did not differed significantly within the treatment groups. The average pulse rate recorded in bedding + jacketing group was 74.19 and in bedding group it was 72.96 which was significantly (P<0.05) higher than bedding + jacketing and control groups. The average values of pulse rate were significantly differed within the treatment groups. The body weight gain (per day) of the calves of bedding + jacketing groups (517 g) was significantly higher than bedding group (445 g) followed by jacketing (405 g) and control groups (304 g). The effect of method of body protection, on the daily weight gain of Gir crossbred calves was significant (P<0.05). The correlation between air temperature and temperature humidity index (THI) with rectal temperature pulse rate and respiration rate were positive and highly significant (P<0.01) in all experimental groups. The Gir crossbred calves provided with bedding + jacketing showed beneficial effect in maintaining the normal body temperature during winter season and showed highest daily gain in body weight.