INFLUENCE OF AMBIENT TEMPERATURES ON WATER CONSUMPTION, FEED INTAKE AND BODY WEIGHT OF RED SOKOTO BUCKS FED GRADED LEVELS OF CORNCOB DIETS

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during early dry season in 2012 to investigate the response of Red Sokoto buck to ambient temperature on water consumption, feed intake and body weight when fed graded levels of corn cob diets. All the animals responded in a similar manner to changes in ambient temperatures, there was a strong positive (R’=0.9672) correlation between ambient temperature and water intakes but negative correlations (R’=0.9723; R’=0.9723) were observed between the ambient temperature with feed intake and body weight of bucks. The bucks drank more water, eat little feed and loss weight at higher (38.8°C) ambient temperatures. Although at lower temperature (28. 5°C), they eat more feed to produce heat in order to regulate their body temperature. The consequence of these was body weight loss. Therefore, livestock owners should provide adequate water, feed and proper housing for their animals at varying ambient temperatures.