Effect of early water consumption to performance of lambs

The importance of water for all living beings is well known. The aim of this study is to reveal the developmental differences between lambs that begin consuming water from birth and those that begin drinking water 17 days after birth. The animal material of the study consisted of newborn male lambs of Central Anatolian Merino sheep. Experimental and control groups were formed by randomly selecting 8 lambs for each group based on similar live weights determined by a normality test. In the experimental group (E), clean and fresh water was provided from the 1st day of life, while in the control group (C), clean and fresh water was provided starting from the 17th day. At the same time, lamb starter feed was placed in front of the lambs to ensure free access. The amounts of water and feed were weighed before being offered, and the remaining amounts were measured the next day to determine consumption. The live weight of lambs in both groups was measured weekly to monitor their growth. The study continued until the weaning period. On the final day of the experiment, 10 ml of blood was collected from all animals via the jugular vein for biochemical and complete blood analyses. In the study, the control group consumed an average of 81.01 g of feed daily, while the experimental group consumed 114.72 g. Average water intake was 370.08 ml in the control group and 446.63 ml in the experimental group. No significant difference in live weight was observed in the 4th week; however, in weeks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7, the experimental group had higher live weights than the control group (p<0.05). At the end of the study, final body weight was 14.02±0.61 kg in the control group and 17.16±0.63 kg in the experimental group (p<0.05). Average daily live weight gain (ADG) of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group both by period and throughout the study (p<0.05). The average ADG was 244±0.01 g in the experimental group and 190±0.01 g in the control group (p<0.05). In the blood metabolic profile averages of both groups, statistically significant differences were found in AST/SGOT and glucose levels (p<0.05). Additionally, there were statistically significant differences in neutrophil, basophil, hematocrit (%), platelet, neutrophil (%), lymphocyte (%), and basophil (%) counts (p<0.05). As a result of the study, providing water to lambs immediately after birth positively affected feed intake, live weight, and daily live weight gain.