Performance, body measurement, physiological adaptability and metabolic status of Garut sheep raised in a pen-intensive system in Indonesia

Abstract

Small ruminant production systems that utilize pen-intensive systems have become more popular in Indonesia during the past few decades. It is well recognized that allowing sheep freedom to move freely outside can significantly improve their health and welfare. This study used a T test experimental design with ten replicates to compare the performance, body measurements, physiological adaptability, and metabolic status of Garut sheep raised in pen-intensive management with two different treatments (outdoor pen access vs. full indoor pen). A twenty-one-year-old sheep with an average body weight of 19.57±2.50 kg was employed in this experiment. The findings showed that neither treatment's dry matter intake (grams per head per day) nor average daily gain (grams per head per day) differed (P>0.05), but the ewes exposed to outdoor pen access had significantly longer bodies (P≤0.05) than those in the full indoor pen. The physiological health of the ewes having access to the outdoor enclosure was similarly improved (P≤0.05), especially in the morning and afternoon. Apart from plasma glucose levels, the metabolic status of the ewes in both treatment groups was similar, with the exception that the ewes with access to an outdoor enclosure had lower blood glucose (P≤0.05). Furthermore, the adaptability coefficient value was lower (P≤0.05) in compared with those without access to outdoor pen, with no different (P>0.05) in Heat Tolerance Coefficient value. In conclusion, a pen-intensive system with an outside enclosure not only increases the performance of garut ewes but also improves their physiological adaptability. This approach can be highly promoted to improve sheep farming management in Indonesia.