Modeling water consumption in goats and sheep: a review of the main equations used
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48017/dj.v11i1.3625Keywords:
Water efficiency, Consumption equations, water consumption, mathematical modelingAbstract
Efficient water resource management is a crucial challenge for small ruminant production, especially in tropical and semiarid regions. This review article aims to gather and discuss the main equations and approaches used to estimate water consumption in sheep, highlighting the importance of mathematical modeling in simulating water requirements. The analysis includes variables such as dry matter intake, metabolizable energy, body weight, ambient temperature, as well as estimation techniques such as isotopic dilution of body water. Water losses through different physiological pathways and the effects of temperature and water restriction on animal performance are also addressed. The review demonstrates that there is no universally applicable equation, and it is essential to adapt models to specific environmental, physiological and production conditions. In this sense, an integrated understanding of the factors that influence water consumption is essential for the formulation of more sustainable and efficient diets and management strategies.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Marcelo Caique Félix Rodrigues, Joanigo Fernando Simão, Jennifer Nandes Pereira da Silva, Janaina Araújo Moreira Brito, Janiele Santos Araújo, Glayciane Costa Gois, Cleyton de Almeida Araújo
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