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Abstract
The effects of electrolytes and transportation on lamb, pig, and calf production and
behavior traits were evaluated in three twice-replicated trials. In all trials, animals
were randomly allotted to three treatment groups stratified by sex, weight, and breed:
1) not transported, water (CW); 2) transported, electrolyte (TE); and 3) transported,
water (TW). Comparisons of CW vs TW resulted in the determination of the effects of
transportation when water was used; comparisons of TE vs TW allowed the determination
of the effects of electrolyte use in transported animals. Each trial consisted of
two transportation days 1 wk apart (transports 1 and 2). Each transportation day consisted
of a 4-h rest period between two separate 80-km transports. Seventy-two Dorset lambs
(average 105 d; 51 ewes and 21 wethers), 72 Yorkshire weaned pigs (average 51 d; 15
barrows and 57 gilts), and 39 Angus x Simmental cross heifers (average 265 d) were
used. In the lamb trial, for transports 1 and 2, weight loss was not different (P>0.05)
for TE vs TW; CW lost less (P<0.01) weight than did TW. Average consumption per animal
in the TE treatment group was 2.00 kg water or electrolyte solution, and the average per animal consumptions in the TW
and CW treatment groups were 2.06 and 2.67 kg water, respectively. In the pig trial, for transports 1 and 2, weight loss was
less (P<0.01) for TE than for TW. Average consumption in the TE treatment group was
6.38 kg water or electrolyte solution, and the averages for the TW and CW treatment groups
were 4.20 and 5.71 kg water, respectively. In the heifer trial, for transports 1 and 2, weight loss was
not different (P>0.05) for TE vs TW; CW lost less (P<0.01) weight than TW. The average
animal in the TE treatment group consumed 9.06 kg water or electrolyte solution; the average per animal consumptions in the TW and
CW treatment groups were 9.87 and 10.45 kg water, respectively. There were no differences in the behaviors or activities (agonistic,
movement, lying down, or loss of balance) of the groups during transport. Administration
of electrolytes prior to and during a rest period between transportations appeared
to decrease weight loss and increase fluid consumption. This was more pronounced in
monogastrics than in ruminants.
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© 1999 American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
