A Comparative Study on the Normal Physiological and Hematological Parameters of Local Breeds of Goats and Sheep in Khartoum State

Abstract

A comparative study was conducted on the normal physiologicalparametersand haematological constituents of local breeds of goats (Nubian) and sheep (Hamari) covering two locations in Khartoum State (Al-Kalakla farm and Gandahar market). The study was conducted with the objective of establishing base data and highlight the differences if any; between the normal physiological parameters and hematological constituents of these two species of livestock.The data included in the current study were obtained from apparently healthy animals (19 female Nubian goats and 16 female Hamari sheep) that were free of any clinically detectable abnormality and free of internal and external parasites. Both goats and sheep were in good body condition score (BCS), and were fed on a high plane of nutrition and allowed free access to drinking water. Both goats and sheep were approximately 4-6 years of age, and the data were collected under similar environmental conditions (9-10 AM).The animals were housed in semi-closed pens at the Al-Kalakla farm and Gandahar market.The data obtained were statistically analyzed using T- test. The normal rectal temperature of goats was 37.9 - 40.2 ºC, while that of sheep was 37.9 - 40 ºC. The normal pulse rate of goats and sheep was 70 – 90/min, and the normal respiratory rate of goats and sheep was 20-30/min.