Bem estar de caprinos mantidos em baias individuais ou coletivas,avaliado através do comportamento e termografia.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the welfare degree of goats of different genetic groups kept in confinement system, in collective or individual stalls through the qualitative behavior assessment associated with infrared thermography. The experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics – UFBA located in Entre rios city - BA. Twenty-four goats were used, eight animals from each genetic group being Moxotó, Saanen and Anglo-Nubiana. Three collective pens were used, one for each genetic group, housing a total of 4 animals each. For groups housed in individual pens, twelve pens were used, thus four for each genetic group. It was used 6m² and 1,5m² of area for the collective and individual pens, respectively. To capture the photos, the camera was positioned approximately 60 centimeters away from each goat. The photos were captured at three times of the day: at 6:00, 12:00 and 18:00 hours. Were prioritized the front, back and left lateral positions of the animals, so that the temperature of the rumen area was also accounted for. Behavioral analyzes of the animals were based on the qualitative behavior assessment, using descriptors as: Aggressive, Agitated, Alert, Apathetic, Attention, Playful, Calm, Content, Curious, Bored, Frustrated, Angry, Fearful and Sociable. Statistical differences (P<0,05) were found between the types of accommodation, with the collective stalls showing higher means of agitated, frustrated, angry and sociable behavior. Other behavior showed no significant difference. Regarding the temperature of the animals, statistical differences (P <0.05) were observed for the behavior of agitated, listless, frustrated, attentive, curious and bored. It is concluded that despite the degree of restriction to the sociable behavior of animals housed in individual pens, they were deprived of some negative behaviors such as irritation and frustration. Individual pens is the best choice since animals are not isolated. Regarding temperatures, they can provide us with prior information about the emotional behavior of animals, and thermography is useful for these evaluations without the need for more invasive interventions for the animal.