Desempenho fisiológico, produtivo e comportamental de ovinos mestiços confinados recebendo água salinizada.

Abstract

One of the problems in the production of sheep in the semiarid region and the scarcity and quality of this natural resource, mainly on the salinity of the water, there is a need to quantify the tolerance of these animals the waters with the presence of salts in its composition. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the influence of salinity on growth performance, behavioral and physiological of feedlot sheep receiving water with different salinity levels, using 24 animals, assigned in sheds measuring 5m x 8m (width x compliance) and right foot of 2,90m, covered with ceramic tile, arranged in four bays, each with 6 animals, equipped with feeders 1 linear meter and waterers. The animals had a mean age +/- 7 months and weighing +/- 18.33 kg at the beginning of confinement, receiving rations consisting of forage cactus, Tifton hay, corn meal, soybean meal and mineral salt. The experimental design was completely randomized with 4 treatments with 6 repetitions. physiological parameters, performance and behavior were analyzed, they were all not been not affected by the salinity levels, there was no difference in the consumption of water, which was higher with the supply of saline water level 6 (DSM average 2 9 kg day-1), which provided better consumption, relative dry matter intake x water and improved weight gain. Even the sheep that received water with high salinity, managed to gain good weight, showing that confinement can be a viable alternative for the Brazilian semiarid, even offering water considered of inferior quality.