Abstract:
(1) On a ration of poor quality grass hay sheep were found to maintain
their normal intake of water when allowed to drink for one hour only every
second clay.
(2) When given water at 72 and 96 hour intervals the total intake was
decreased to 63 per cent. and 54 per cent. of the normal, respectively.
(3) This decreased intake of water, however, did not affect the consumption
of grass hay although one animal actually died of dehydration.
(4) On the other hand the consumption of lucerne hay was markedly
suppressed by lack of water even during the first 24 hours of thirsting.
(5) Sheep on lucerne hay receiving water only twice weekly still
gained in body weight. This gain was, however, accelerated when water
was constantly available.
(6) As exercise was greatly restricted these results cannot be applied
quantitatively to sheep on open grazing.
