Impact of Housing Systems on Milk Yield, Composition, Behavior, and Welfare in Lactating Pateri Goats
Impact of Housing Systems on Milk Yield, Composition, Behavior, and Welfare in Lactating Pateri Goats
Jawwad Rehman1,2, Muhammad Khizar1, Muhammad Naeem1, Atique Ahmed Behan3*, Huma Rizwana1, Nasir Rajput4, Ghulam Shabir Barham5, Syed Uzair Ali Shah1, Nisar Subhani2,4
ABSTRACT
An experimental study was carried out to evaluate the effects of two different housing systems on milk yield, composition, welfare, behavior and hematological profile in lactating Pateri goats. Fourteen goats were selected and randomly divided into two groups of seven (n=7 per group). Group A was kept in cages while Group B was kept under an open housing system. Both groups were provided with feed and fresh drinking water ad libitum for a 90-day experimental trial. Milk yield and composition, including ash, fat, lactose, protein, total solids, pH, and specific gravity, were significantly (p<0.05) higher in Group B compared to Group A. Conversely, the moisture content was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the milk of Group A goats. Behavioral observations indicated that eating, ruminating, and sleeping time were significantly (p<0.05) higher in Group B, whereas lying, standing, drinking, and licking times were significantly (p<0.05) higher in Group A. WBC and blood glucose levels of Pateri goats were significantly (p<0.05) higher in Group B as compared to Group A. The study concludes that the open housing system improves milk composition in Pateri goats compared to the cage housing system.
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