Effect of floor type on body surface temperature and their relationship with physiological variables in kids during hot dry period

The objective of study was to investigate the relationship between cardinal physiological responses with surface temperature (ST) at different anatomical sites in goat kids on two floor types. Twenty Jakhrana male kids (7–8 months, weighing 25.16±0.60 kg) were assigned equally to pen with soil floor (SOF) or slatted floor (SLF). The mean ST of kids in the morning were significantly lower at head and thigh (35.11, 35.24°C; P<0.01), shoulder and back (35.46, 35.67°C; P<0.05) in SLF as compared to SOF (35.93, 35.74, 35.83, 36.25°C). The ST at different body parts were similar during afternoon hours though, the ST of SLF was significantly (P< 0.01) lower than SOF (37.12 vs 41.51°C). ST of all body parts increased with an increase in the intensity of solar radiation in the afternoon. The magnitude of relationship of ST was high and positive with physiological responses except heart rate at a few sites on both floors. The study suggests that kids were equally comfortable in both slatted and soil floors based on ST and physiological responses, Therefore, the use of slatted floor in semi-arid regions of the country shall be recommended for goat farm, considering less manpower requirement and easy farm operations.