Haematological stress parameters and behavioural characteristics of dairy type goat kids compared to indigenous breeds during an intensive fattening programme
<p>In any production model, the extent to which the animals cope with the environment is important in terms of animal welfare and sustainability of production. The aim of the study was to investigate certain haematological parameters and behaviours of goat kids from dairy type Saanen and Malte...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2020-12-01
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| Series: | Archives Animal Breeding |
| Online Access: | https://aab.copernicus.org/articles/63/441/2020/aab-63-441-2020.pdf |
| Summary: | <p>In any production model, the extent to which the animals cope with the
environment is important in terms of animal welfare and sustainability of
production. The aim of the study was to investigate certain haematological
parameters and behaviours of goat kids from dairy type Saanen and Maltese
breeds via comparison with indigenous Hair and Gokceada breeds during the
10-week intensive fattening period. Eleven male goat kids each of
Saanen, Maltese, Hair and Gokceada breeds were weaned at 3–3.5 months of age
and then placed into four fattening pens prepared for each breed,
separately. Cortisol, glucose and total protein levels were higher in
Gokceada kids in the last period of the fattening compared to the kids of
other breeds (<span class="inline-formula"><i>P</i><0.05</span>). In Gokceada kids, an evident decrease in the time spent
hay feeding and on rumination and an increase in lying, standing and
self-grooming behaviours were determined during the last 3 weeks of
fattening. Moreover, there was a significant decrease regarding hay feeding
in Hair goat kids in the last 2 weeks (<span class="inline-formula"><i>P</i><0.05</span>). Hair goat kids also exhibited
less rumination behaviour compared to Saanen kids during the last 4 weeks
of fattening (<span class="inline-formula"><i>P</i><0.05</span>). On the other hand, kids of dairy breeds did not express
behavioural or biochemical stress responses during the fattening period. As
a conclusion, when evaluated in terms of animal welfare, results of the
current study may indicate that indigenous breeds, especially Gokceada kids,
are not appropriate for intensive fattening in a pen.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 0003-9438 2363-9822 |