Spengler D, Strobel H, Axt H, Voigt K
Dr. Dieter Spengler, Am Heidengraben 6, 79199 Kirchzarten, E-Mail:
Tierarztl Prax Ausg G Grosstiere Nutztiere. 2015;43(1):49-59; quiz 60. doi: 10.15653/TPG-140781. Epub 2015 Jan 30.
Water is an essential source of life and is available to animals as free water, water content of feed, film water (e. g. dew) and metabolic water. The water requirements of small ruminants are influenced by the type of feed, climate, stage of production, type and length of the fleece or hair coat, husbandry factors and the general health of the animal. Differences in water metabolism, drinking behaviour and the efficiency of temperature regulation are further influenced by species, breed, production type, husbandry system, acclimatisation and adaptation. Small ruminants have been, and are still predominantly kept in extensive husbandry systems. They are therefore genetically and phenotypically well adapted to these conditions and possess a range of physiological and behavioural mechanisms to deal with adverse and suboptimal weather conditions. Regarding animal welfare, there is considerable debate in the discussion and assessment of what constitutes a sufficient water supply for small ruminants under different husbandry conditions, often involving differences between theoretical demands and practical experience. This publication reviews and summarises the current literature regarding water requirements, water metabolism and thermoregulatory mechanisms of small ruminants to provide the basis for an informed assessment of extensive husbandry systems in terms of compliance with animal-welfare requirements.
水是生命的重要源泉，动物可通过自由水、饲料中的水分、薄膜水（如露水）和代谢水获取。小型反刍动物的需水量受饲料类型、气候、生产阶段、羊毛或毛发的类型及长度、饲养因素和动物总体健康状况的影响。水代谢、饮水行为和体温调节效率的差异还受物种、品种、生产类型、饲养系统、驯化和适应的进一步影响。小型反刍动物过去和现在主要饲养在粗放式饲养系统中。因此，它们在基因和表型上都很好地适应了这些条件，并拥有一系列生理和行为机制来应对不利和次优的天气条件。关于动物福利，在讨论和评估不同饲养条件下小型反刍动物充足的供水构成时存在相当大的争议，这往往涉及理论需求和实际经验之间的差异。本出版物回顾并总结了关于小型反刍动物需水量、水代谢和体温调节机制的当前文献，以便为根据动物福利要求对粗放式饲养系统进行明智评估提供依据。
