Effect of different transportation period on body weight loss, hematological and biochemical stress responses of sheep
Lendrawati Lendrawati, Rudy Priyanto, Anuraga Jayanegara, Wasmen Manalu, D. Desrial
Abstract
The study was conducted to evaluate the duration of road transportation during 4, 8 and 12 hours on body weight loss, hematological and biochemical responses of sheep. Twenty-four male Javanese thin tailed sheep were separated into transported group (T4, T8 and T12) and non-transported group (NT4, NT8 and NT12). Transportation (T) groups were transported for 4, 8 and 12 h in the same open pick up with 0.28 m2/head of loading density. Body weight, haematological and biochemical blood profiles were determined. The results showed that increasing of transportation duration significantly increased (P<0.05) body weight loss and decreased (P<0.05) hematocrit, cortisol and glucose values in the blood. However, these values were in the normal range of sheep well-being. In conclusion, transported healthy Javanese thin tailed sheep under good condition without feed and water access up to 12 h can tolerate to adverse effect of transportation without disturbing their welfare.