Effect of Cool hour feeding during summer season on the Physiological and Haematological parameters of cross-bred cows in mid-lactation

The present study was was conducted in the University Livestock farm and Fodder Research and Development scheme (ULF and FRDS), Kerala Agricultural University Mannuthy, Thrissur from February to May 2008, covering the hottest part of the summer on twelve healthy crossbred cows in mid lactation, to study the effect of feeding during cooler hours of summer season on physiological and hematological parameters of crossbred cows in mid lactation. Animals were divided into two groups of six each. The T1 animals were maintained on routine management protocol whereas the T2 animals were maintained on concentrate mixture and green grass as roughage with 1/3rd of the concentrate and roughage fed during the day time (10.a.m) and rest in evening (6.00 p.m) and early morning (5.00 a.m) hours. Various physiological and hematological parameters of the two groups were recorded. From the present study it was concluded that the cool hour feeding of the animals during summer season did not show much significant differences in physiological and hematological parameters of mid lactation cross bred cows. On statistical analysis a significant difference (P< 0.05) in plasma cortisol was obtained between the two groups during the first and second fortnights. The overall average plasma cortisol level was significantly higher in the T1 in comparison to T2.