Biological rhythm of goats and sheep in response to heat stress

ABSTRACT

The aim of this research was to evaluate the peculiarities of the biological rhythms of thermoregulation of goats and sheep in response to heat. Two hundred and thirty animals (115 goats and 115 sheep) were analyzed in physiological parameters (surface temperature – ST, rectal temperature – RT, heart rate – HR and respiratory rate – RR), behavioral and water consumption. Furthermore, environmental data were collected and bioclimatic indexes were calculated in order to characterize the microclimate conditions of the installation. The data obtained submitted to ANOVA and compared using Tukey’s test (P<0.05). The sheep showed higher (P < 0.05) HR, RR and RT. The goats showed lower (P < 0.05) water consumption and lower feeding time. The sheep had the highest percentage of “sitting” posture and “agonistic behaviors”. Goat are less sensitive to heat stress and therefore require a smaller magnitude of the biological mechanisms of thermoregulation, the may be related to greater efficiency in water use and fiber digestion of this specie.

KEYWORDS:

• Ambience
• animal welfare
• thermal comfort
• thermal stress

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.