PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF RAHAJI AND WADARA BREEDS OF CATTLE TO HEAT STRESS IN GUJBA LGA., YOBE STATE, NIGERIA

A. Madu; H. M. A. Mai; R. M. Ashiru; T. Elizabeth; S. K. Gbadden; H. M. Danyaro; A. Hamza; U. S. Yusuf

doi:10.51791/njap.vi.8692

Authors

A. Madu Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology, Kano State, Nig
H. M. A. Mai Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nig
R. M. Ashiru Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano State, Nig
T. Elizabeth Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology, Kano State, Nig
S. K. Gbadden Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology, Kano State, Nig
H. M. Danyaro Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology, Kano State, Nig
A. Hamza Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology, Kano State, Nig
U. S. Yusuf Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology, Kano State, Nig

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.8692

Keywords:

Breed, heat stress, rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rates

Abstract

A study was conducted from October 2009 to July 2010 to determine the physiological responses of Rahaji and Wadara breeds of cattle to heat stress at Rahina and Tumsa Agro Allied farms, in Gujba area of Yobe State. A total number of one hundred and forty cattle population was used consisting of seventy Rahaji and seventy Wadara respectively. Clinical thermometer, stethoscope and pulse counting was used to take the Rectal temperature (RT), Heart rate (HR), Respiratory rate (RR) respectively with respect to breed, period of the day, month and type of animals. Data collected was subjected to analysis using General Linear Model. The result revealed that RT, HR and RR for Rahaji and Wadara breeds were 38.35°C, 69.19 beat/mm. and 26.39 breath/min. and 38.69°C, 70.30 beat/mm and 26.49 breath/min, respectively. In relation to period of the day, the RT, HR and RR for morning and evening periods were 37.79°C, 61.60 beat/mm. and 23.31 breath/mm and 38.93°C, 76.62 beat/mm and 29.58 breath/min, respectively. On monthly basis, RT, HR and RR ranged from 37.11°C in October to 38.60°C in April, while the HR ranged between 65.17 beat/mm in October and 73.26 breath/min in February, June whereas the RR varied from 25.57 to 30.74 breath/min in December and April respectively. On animal type basis, RT, HR and RR ranged between 38.28°C in young calf to38.41°C in first year calf, 68.15 to73.96 beat/mm and 24.90 to 26.94 breath/min. respectively. Breeds have no significant effect on vital parameters but there is significant effect of parameters on period, month and type of animals at (P< 0.01). From the results of this study, it can be concluded that both Rahaji and Wadara breeds may respond to heat stress much earlier than their counterparts. It is therefore, recommended that proper housing, feeding and genetically improved breeds may help to improve the animal’s adaptability to increased environmental temperature.