Haematological stress parameters and behavioural characterisucs of dairy type goat kids compared to indigenous breeds during an intensive fattening programme

Abstract

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 (P < 0.05). 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 (P < 0.05). Hair goat kids also exhibited less rumination behaviour compared to Saanen kids during the last 4 weeks of fattening (P < 0.05). 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.