Vol. 10, Issue 5, Part A (2025)

Author(s): S Vijaya Lakshmi, A Anitha, CH Venkata Seshaiah and R Vinoo

Abstract: This study evaluated the effect of housing system (slatted floor versus moorum floor) on the Body Condition Score (BCS) of Nellore Brown lambs over a 12-week period. Twenty lambs were randomly allocated to either a slatted floor (N=10) or moorum floor (N=10) housing system. Body condition scores were recorded at the beginning of the study and fortnightly thereafter. Initial BCS values were similar between groups (1.75±0.11 for slatted; 1.70±0.11 for moorum). Throughout the study, lambs on slatted floors consistently showed higher BCS values, though differences weren't statistically significant. By the experiment's end, mean BCS reached 2.90±0.10 in the slatted floor group versus 2.75±0.31 in the moorum group. Overall mean BCS across the entire period was 2.35±0.65 for slatted housing and 2.19±0.53 for moorum housing. Results suggest that slatted floor housing may offer a slight advantage for body condition development in Nellore Brown lambs compared to moorum floors.

DOI: 10.22271/veterinary.2025.v10.i5a.2229