Physiological Responses, Performance, Behaviour, and Welfare of Garut Sheep Raised in Semi-Intensive System in Indonesia

Abstract

Sheep farming in Indonesia mainly relies on an intensive, labor-intensive system, with limited wiggle room and the number of livestock. On the other hand, developed countries have developed a semi-intensive system that can minimize the number of workers and provide animal welfare to their sheep. This study aimed to compare performance, physiological responses, behavior, and animal welfare of reared Garut sheep in semi-intensive management with an outdoor and full indoor pen, employing a T-test experimental design using ten replicates (n= 10). This experiment used 20 ewes sheep (one year old) with an average body weight of 18.74±2.53 kg. This experiment found no difference in dry matter intake (gram/head/day) or average daily gain (gram/head/day) between both treatments (P>0.05). Ewes with access to an outdoor pen had better physiological status, especially heart rate and respiratory rate, particularly in the morning and afternoon (P<0.05) compared to ewes with the full indoor pen. The ratio of blood N/L for ewes with an outdoor barn showed better results (P<0.05), and the rearing environment did not show any difference nor induce stress on livestock with access to an outdoor pen (P>0.05). Ewes' welfare increases, and they become more active after being provided access to an outdoor pen. A semi-intensive system with an outside enclosure enhances Garut ewes' performance, blood parameters, and welfare index.