Effects of cold conditions on the oxygen consumption of shorn goats

C.W. Holmes and D.A. Clark

Department of Animal Science, Massey University, Palmerston North

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1989, 49: 175-178

Four pairs of shorn Cashmere-type goats, fed at 1.5 x maintenance, were exposed to air temperatures between 5ƒ to 7ƒC was 40 to 50% higher than at 27ƒC. The corresponding increase was only 25% in the fourth pair.

For three pairs of goats, exposure to wind caused an increase of 19% in oxygen consumption at 10ƒC. The corresponding increase was only 25% in the fourth pair.

For three pairs of goats, exposure to wind caused an increase of 19% in oxygen consumption at 10ƒC. The corresponding increase was only 9% in the fourth pair.

Estimated values for lower critical temperature (with no wind) were between 15ƒ and 20ƒC for three pairs of goats and between 11ƒ and 15ƒC for the fourth pair. Exposure to wind increased these values for lower critical temperature by 3ƒ to 5ƒC.

Keywords: NZSAPAB; Shorn goats; cold; wind; oxygen consumption; critical temperature

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Last Updated 18-03-1997