Adaptability of goats kept in Saanen and Marota semi moist tropicalclimate

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the environmental parameters and physiological parameters and Saanen goats and Marota in Teresina, Piauí State, Brazil, in the rainy and dry periods during the months from april to november. We used adult female Saanen goats (n = 7) and Marota (n = 7), clinically healthy, the same age group and subject to the same management conditions. The physiological indices were heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) in schedules 7-8, 10-11, 14-15 and 17–18 hours. The environmental indices analyzed were room temperature, relative humidity, black globe temperature index and temperature and humidity index. The results of the environmental parameters show that the dry period is more stressful than the rainy and the afternoon shift is more stressful than the morning and among these parameters, it is observed that the relative humidity has the opposite behavior of the temperature air, temperature and black globe temperature and humidity index, showing higher values in the rainy season and in the morning shift. Regarding the physiological parameters of the animals, it was observed that all animals were able to maintain rectal temperature within normal limits and the respiratory rate was the most sensitive indicator of stress, showing that the animals Marota race had lower values and more close to normal, indicating greater adaptability in relation to Saanen.