Water use economy in Rajasthan Desert Sheep

Abstract

Studies conducted on grazing Marwari and Magra sheep at Pali in the Rajasthan desert, India (25°50'N., 73°15'E) from September 1974 to May 1975 and again from January 1976 to June 1976 indicate that watering twice weekly does not impair the health and productivity of these breeds. The water-restricted animals of both the breeds consumed less than half the quantity of water consumed by the daily watered groups during this period. A conEiderable saving in stock drinking water is thus possible to achieve. No significant treatment effect on body weight was recorded. Water restriction also had no effect on wool production and lambing performance of the animals. The daily watering of sheep would, therefore, appear to be a dispensable practice, at least in the management of desert-adapted breeds.