Evaluation of Haematology of Uda Rams Reared under Different Housing Systems and Seasons in Semi-arid Region of Nigeria

Abstract

The study was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Animal Science of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria. To determine the effect of housing and season on haematology of Uda rams. A factorial design (3x5) was used in this experiment where housing types and season combinations representing the factors (treatment combination). Four animals were allotted to each housing types with each animal serving as replicate. At the end of feeding trial in each season blood samples were collected in EDTA bottle from each animal which were analysed for haematological indices, the data obtained were subjected to Analysis of variance (ANOVA) There was significant (P<0.05) variation in PCV between animals placed in HZ and those in FT and FZ. PCV values are below the normal range in FZ and FT while RBC is also below normal range in all the treatments except HT. The result showed that Hb values were below normal range during hot season, while RBC was below normal range in all the seasons, the other parameters are within the normal range. The study concludes that housing system and seasonal variation significantly influenced haematological indices in sheep, with poorly ventilated or inadequately shaded structures during the hot season causing reductions in Hb, RBC, PCV, and lymphocyte levels indicative of heat stress.