Studies on physiological responses of bullocks of tribal district of Odisha under varying drafts and seasons

Abstract

The present study was carried out to find out the effects of draft and seasons on the physiological responses of small sized Mottu (non-descript breed of bullocks of tribal districts of Odisha) bullocks (Pair weight-450 kg) in test track with the help of CIAE animal loading car at Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha during summer, rainy and winter season in the year 2009. The study showed that rise of pulse rate was sharp from the initial values during 1st hour of work at all drafts and seasons except in case of 9 and 10 % drafts in winter season. But sharp rise of respiration rate was observed in summer season only. Thereafter, rise of pulse rate and respiration rate were gradual. Comparison of pulse rate, respiration rate and body temperature within seasons at a particular draft and duration revealed that season had significant effect on these parameters.