VARIATIONS IN THE THERMOREGULATORY RESPONSE OF GEESE DURING LOW TEMPERATURE – HUMIDITY INDEX
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Date
2021
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Publisher
NIGERIAN SOCIETY FOR ANIMAL PRODUCTION (NSAP) 46TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Abstract
In a 28–day trial, the effects of sex and daytime on the thermoregulatory response of geese during low
temperature – humidity index was investigated. Twenty four geese (12 males and 12 females) were
allotted into two treatments according to their sex in a completely randomized design. Their cloaca
temperature, respiratory rate and pulse rate were measured and recorded in the morning, afternoon
and evening for the entire experimental period. Also, the ambient temperature and relative humidity
of the pen were recorded daily. Males had significantly (p < 0.05) higher respiratory rate (20.84±2.06
breaths/minute) than females (19.49±1.37 breaths/minute). However, pulse rate and cloaca
temperature were not significantly (p > 0.05) different between the two sexes. The respective mean
temperature, humidity and temperature-humidity index (THI) values recorded were 25.20±1.460C,
91.93±4.38% and 24.92±1.38 (morning); 28.98±1.870C, 73.64±9.00% and 27.74±1.37 (afternoon) and
28.88±2.300C, 72.39±8.87% and 27.60±1.86 (evening). The cloaca temperature in the morning was
significantly (p < 0.05) lower than in the afternoon and evening while their pulse rate and respiratory
rate were not significantly (p<0.05) different at the respective daytimes. Hence, sex and daytime
independently influenced the thermoregulatory response of the geese.
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Keywords
Respiratory rate, Cloaca temperature, Pulse rate, Thermoregulatory response