EFFECTS OF DRINKING LAKE BASAKA SALINE WATER ON BEHAVIOURAL, PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BLOOD CONSTITUENTS OF SHEEP AND GOATS: PERCEPTIONS VERSUS EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE

Limited fresh water resources due to climatic changes are major challenges to face the animal production industry, especially in semi-arid and arid regions. The survey study was conducted to assess the perception regarding the quality of Lake Basaka water for sheep and goats in relation to their physiological and blood response in Fentalle pastoralists and on-station experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of drinking salinity levels of Lake Basaka water on behavioural and physiological responses, and blood constituents of Hararghe highland lambs. A total of 28 lambs with initial body weight of 18±1.18kg were grouped into four levels of lake water salinity levels, namely freshwater (510mg/l TDS), lake Basaka water (LBW; 2560mg/l TDS); lake Basaka water plus 100% TDS of LBW; 5277mg/L TDS) and lake Basaka water plus 200% TDS of LBW; 7952mg/L TDS). The survey result showed that Lake Basaka water was a major water source for animal drinking, especially during dry seasons. Comparison of the measured quality parameters with guideline values and pastoralists’ perception showed that Lake Basaka water is saline and alkaline indicating, long term intake of the lake may not safe for small ruminants, especially during dry seasons and as well as, there were variation of physiological parameters of grazing sheep and goat with greater haemoglobin, urea, and creatinine, while lower blood glucose and cholesterol were recorded in goat and sheep drank saline water of lake Basaka at field condition. On-station indicated, increasing TDS levels in lake Basaka water varies water intake watering frequency, time spent on drinking, inactive behavior and lower of lambs, RT and RR, haemoglobin glucose, albumin, urea, triglycerides, sodium, triiodothyronine (T3), enzymes of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases and slightly decreased thyroxine (T4). No significant difference was observed in dry matter intake, digestibility, and body weight, packed cell volume, red and white blood cell, total protein, cholesterol, creatinine, chlorides, potassium, magnesium and calcium. In conclusion, the on-station experiment result showed that, Hararghe-highland lambs were adapted to water with a high salt level (7952mg/L TDS) with some notable physiological changes, indicating that increased salinity beyond the level in the present study may affect animal welfare and productivity.