Vol. 10, Issue 7, Part B (2025)

Author(s): Basavaraj Karebharamannavar, Guruprasad R, Jaishankar N and Shivakumar MC

Abstract: The study was done to assess the cleanliness, hoof condition and internal parasitism of Hassan lambs reared intensively for a period of three months with standard housing and feeding conditions as per the requirement. Eighteen Hassan lambs (3-6 months old) were divided into three groups of six each and reared separately on mud floor (G-I), concrete floor (G-II) and concrete floor with rubber mat (G-III). Faecal examination was carried out at every three weeks interval to determine the egg per gram feces (EPG)/Oocysts per gram feces (OPG). Animal’s body was divided in to three parts i.e. side, back and legs and each part was given a score from 0 to 2 to arrive at the dirt score. The hoof was visually examined for any lesions, erosions, deformities and overgrowth and hoof length was measured. The recorded overall mean EPG and OPG values were 45.58±5.84, 37.21±4.64 and 31.33±3.76; 44.08±8.28, 36.46±6.03 and 31.00±4.79 in mud, concrete and rubber mat floors, respectively. The overall mean EPG and OPG were non-significant among different groups. The observed overall mean dirt scores were 0.28±0.05 (G-I), 0.83±0.10 (G-II) and 1.09±0.12 (G-III), respectively. The higher dirt score was observed on rubber mat floor. The overall mean values of hoof length (cm) were 2.86±0.03 (G-I), 2.84±0.05 (G-II) and 2.89±0.04 (G-III), respectively. The incidence of hoof erosion was maximum (50.00%) in concrete floor compared to mud floor (33.33%) and rubber mat floor (16.67%). The overgrowth of hoof was observed maximum in rubber mat floor. The study revealed that, floor type had a significant effect on dirt score whereas, no significant effect was observed on eggs per gram (EPG) and oocysts per gram (OPG) count and hoof condition in Hassan lambs.