Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

EFFECT OF THATCHING MATERIAL ON PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF KONKAN KANYAL GOAT IN SUMMER

R.M. Kapgate, H.B. Patil, N. N. Prasade, A.P. Galande and H.R. Agare

Abstract

Fifteen Konkan Kanyal goats were selected for experiment and prior to that, goats were exposed for two weeks for acclimatization in the thatched roof sheds. The experimental animals were randomly divided into five treatment groups and housed under different covered shed viz., asbestos sheet roofed house (T1), shed net 75 per cent (T2), thatched roof with dry grass (T3), thatched roof with paddy straw (T4) and thatched roof with coconut leaves (T5). In each treatment one buck and two does were selected. Before starting of experiment initial body weight of goats were recorded and the weights was within the range of 14 to 17 kg, respectively. The physiological responses i.e. rectal temperatures (RT), respiration rate (RR) and pulse rate (PR) of all these animals were recorded every day at 7.30 a.m. 1.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. It is concluded that, thatched roof with dry grass was found more comfortable and economical to maintain micro-environment to the goats for growth and maintenance during summer in the Konkan region