Water Requirement Of Growing Local Goats Measured Under Two Climatic Thermal Conditions

Abstract

In an experiment of two phases each lasting 42 days, daily voluntary water intakes by 10 growing goats (Baladi) aged six to ten-month-old were individually recorded at two ambient temperatures averaging 28 C (1st phase) and 14 C (2nd hase). A uniform ration containing 90% DM and (1:1) concentrate to roughage ratio was fed ad libitum by kids in individual cages. In vivo total body water at the beginning and end of each experimental period was determined using the antipyrine space method The results indicate that water intake by goats increased (P<0.01) with increasing ambient temperatures from 14°C to 28°C. Daily water intakes were more correlated with DM intakes (r = 0.82 at 28°C and 0.80 at 14 C ) than the body weight (r = 0.74 at 28°C and 0.66 at 14°C). Water content of weight gain as kg (retained water) was not influenced by the daily water consumption, but it was related to amount of body weight gain. Data of daily intakes of water (Wl) and dry matter (DMI) were used to formulate two equations to predict Wl from DMI under the two temperatures as follows: Wl,ml/day- 1300 + 5.9 DMI, g/day Wl,ml/day — 857 + 3.7 DMI, g/day It could be concluded that, the daily water requirement for growing local goats (under such housing and feeding conditions) could be taken as 250 ml/Kgw0.75 and 164ml/Kgw0.75 at A.T averaging. 28 C and 14 C. respectively