Effects of drinking water temperature on behavioral responses and adaptive capacity in lactating and non-lactating crossbred goats SUP-SPU1 under heat stress
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Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of reducing drinking water temperature on behavioral changes of crossbred goats (SUP-PSU 1; Anglo-Nubian×Thai native) under heat stress conditions. The experiment was arranged as a 2×2 factorial arrangement with repeated measures in a completely randomized design (CRD). The experimental period 63 days, and behavioral data were collected every 7 days. Eight female goats were divided into two groups of four animals each, consisting of two non-lactating and two lactating goats per group. Group 1 received drinking water at normal temperature (26±2 °C), whereas Group 2 received cooled drinking water (21±2 °C) only during 2-4 P.M. after exposure to heat stress for 6 h. Behavioral observations included water intake, feeding time, standing with legs spread, lying with legs stretched, and vocalization under heat stress conditions. The results showed that ambient temperature and relative humidity throughout the 9-week period induced heat stress in goats, particularly during 2-4 P.M., when the THI reached a severe level. Drinking water temperature significantly affected behavioral responses, as goats receiving cooled water showed lower water intake and increased feeding time. Moreover, an interaction between drinking water temperature and lactation status affected feeding behavior, with lactating goats spending more time eating than non-lactating goats (P<0.05). In addition, standing with legs spread and lying with legs stretched increased in lactating goats receiving cooled water (P<0.05). In conclusion, providing cooled drinking water increased feeding time but reduced water intake and increased standing with legs spread and lying with legs stretched, which are behaviors associated with responses to heat stress. Therefore, providing drinking water at normal temperature may be more appropriate, as it does not interfere with water intake and may help reduce heat stress-related behaviors. These findings may serve as a guideline for managing drinking water temperature by considering both time of day
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