Comparative study on performance of Kenguri rams under intensive and extensive rearing system.

A field study was undertaken to compare the grazing system and stall feeding system in Kenguri rams in Raichur district, Karnataka state. In this study, 30 Kenguri rams were divided into two groups; stall feeding group and grazing group each containing 15 kenguri rams. After the completion of the study for 90 days, based upon body weight, overall weight gain was significantly higher in the kenguri rams of stall fed group (10.80±0.32 kg) compared to kenguri rams of grazing group (6.67±0.21 kg). Blood parameters (average Hb (g/dl), PCV (%) and RBC (106/cmm) count) were higher in the kenguri rams of stall feeding group (9.15 ±0.2, 25.11±0.31 & 11.09 ±0.13 respectively) compared to the kenguri rams in grazing group (8.48 ±0.81, 23.17 ±0.16 & 8.96±0.63 respectively). Upon DLC analysis, different leukocytes were in the normal range in the stall fed group compared to the grazing group. On the 1st day of the experiment deworming was done with albendazole & niclozamide for all the kenguri rams. At the end of the study, neither parasites nor parasites’ eggs were observed in the kenguri rams of both the groups. However, coccidial oocysts (Eimeria spp) were observed in the feces of three kenguri rams in grazing group. On economic analysis, after three months of work for 15 kenguri rams the profit was calculated to be Rs. 50,250 (based on present market prices) in stall fed group as compared to Rs. 40,848 in grazing group indicating an excess of Rs.9,402 in stall fed group as compared to grazing group. It can be concluded that, kenguri rams grow healthier, gain better body weight and are safer on health grounds and farmers gain more profit in stall feeding system of rearing compared to grazing system.