Aggression, Salivary Cortisol, and Measures of Immune Competence in Goats Housed at Two Different Space Allowances
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Spraying Effects on Goat Welfare in Hot and Humid Climate
Heat stress is one of the major factors adversely affecting animal welfare and thus economic benefits of farms. This study was designed to determine the effects of three different spraying methods on goats for reducing heat stress. Thirty goats divided into three groups for the trial (One time sprayed a day: OTS, Two times sprayed […]
Conditioned aversion to olive tree leaves (Olea europaea L.) in goats and sheep
With the aim of adverting to olive tree leaves, lithium chloride (LiCl) was used in goats and sheep. A total of 10 dairy does (Murciano–Granadina breed) and 10 dairy ewes (Manchega breed) were used in 2 simultaneous experiments for comparing olive leaf intake in averted vs. control animals. Does and ewes were dry and non-pregnant […]
Potential animal-centred indicators of dairy goat welfare
This paper presents five tests based on behavioural and other animal-centred observations concerning dairy goat welfare. An emotional reactivity test (n = 40) classified the animals into different groups according to their behaviour in response to fear-eliciting stimuli, and identified anxious animals. Movement parameters and behaviour, as well as quantitative (number of cries) and qualitative […]
Factors influencing the welfare of goats in small established groups during the separation and reintegration of individuals
As a goat’s separation from or reintegration into its group is likely to have an adverse effect on the welfare of both the separated goat and the remaining goats in the group, management procedures need to be carried out in a way that minimises their negative impact. In the present study, we tested the effects […]
Consistent social structure and optimal clique size revealed by social network analysis of feral goats, Capra hircus
Social network analysis has become a valuable tool for the measurement of social bonds and can give insight into the level of social complexity in a species. However, most studies have focused on a single social group or community, and we have a rather limited understanding of the extent to which a species’ network structure […]
Behavioural and physiological reactions of goats confronted with an unfamiliar group either when alone or with two peers
Abstract When introduced into a new herd, goats are confronted with unfamiliar animals. Their behavioural and physiological reactions during this confrontation are likely to differ depending on the presence or absence of familiar conspecifics (peers). To assess these reactions, we confronted 12 goats both alone and with two peers (confrontees) with established groups (n = […]
Effects of restraint with or without blinds at the feed barrier on feeding and agonistic behaviour in horned and hornless goats
The strict dominance hierarchy in goats bears the risk of low-ranking goats not getting adequate access to feed, especially for goats in small groups. The aim of our study was to test the effect of restraint in headlocks with and without blinds at the feed barrier on feeding and agonistic behaviour in horned and hornless […]
Effects of sounds of different quality on the behaviour and heart beat parameters of goats
In alpine regions, bells are used to relocate free-ranging grazers like cows and goats. Considering that goats have a well-developed hearing capacity, sounds (e.g. a chime of a bell) may act as stressors depending on their characteristics. The aim of this study was to test whether a non-uniform sound (chime of a bell) varying in […]