The effect of environmental factors and husbandry practices on stress in goats

- The effect of normal procedural handling on stress in goats was evaluated.
- The effect of husbandry and environmental factors on stress in goats was evaluated.
- Cortisol levels significantly higher than basal levels was seen during routine handling procedures.
- Food and water deprivation and heat exposure did not cause significant stress in goats.

Routine handling procedures used in the management of a flock are not generally regarded as stressful and have not been extensively researched. The aim of this study was to determine the serum cortisol concentration after routine handling procedures, viz. handling, heat exposure, food deprivation and water deprivation as well as the cumulative effect of these potential stressors in South African indigenous goats. The results indicated that goats subjected to typical routine handling procedures such as oral drenching and subcutaneous vaccination had significantly higher serum cortisol concentration than the basal levels and can be considered as acute stressors. Stressors that did not involve handling, such as heat exposure, food and water deprivation did not elicit cortisol levels significantly higher than the basal level in this study.