Effect of heat stress on behaviour and physiological parameters of Osmanabadi goats under katcha housing system in Mumbai

The aim of this research was to study the effect of heat stress on behaviour and physiological parameters with eighteen goats of almost similar in age, sex and weight into three groups. The consideration of this experiment was taken on Post weaning Osmanabadi kids i.e after 3 months of age. Three groups were divided basing on the duration of grazing on pasture land to make distinguish on the measures of getting outside temperature and humidity. They are categorized as (T1) zero hours, (T2) two hours and (T3) four hours heat exposure. Skin and rectal temperature had no significant differences among the treatment groups but respiration and pulse rate were increased with the increased of heat stress from T1 to T2 group (P<0.05). Lying time (P<0.05) varied significantly in experimental groups. There were significant changes (P<0.05) in number of urination and defecation per hour but no significant changes was found in duration per urination in heat treated groups. It can be concluded that heat stress had significant changes on some physiological parameters and behaviour of goat.