Performance and welfare status of stable and regrouped beetal does fed at hexagonal vs linear feeder

Performance and welfare status of stable and regrouped Beetal does (N=28) was assessed at hexagonal and linear feeder (n=14 does per group, 7 lactating and 7 non-lactating). Stable groups were compared at hexagonal (DH) and linear (DL) feeders for a period of four weeks. Thereafter, does were regrouped (7 does interchanged, i.e. 4 lactating and 3 non-lactating) at hexagonal (DHM) and linear (DLM) feeder and compared as following four subgroups, i.e. hexagonal retained (DHR), linear-to-hexagonal (DLH), hexagonal-to-linear (DHL) and linear retained (DLR) does (n=7 each). Body weight, milk yield, feed intake, wastage, injuries and blood biochemical parameters were recorded. Blood samples were collected at weekly interval before regrouping and on day 1, 3, 7 and 14 after regrouping. Most of the parameters did not differ between feeder groups before as well as after regrouping. One doe received horn injury after regrouping at hexagonal feeder. Does retained at respective feeder (DHR and DLR) showed increase in plasma cortisol level after regrouping indicative of rise in stress to defend their stable position at feeder or space inside the pen. Results showed that two types of feeder had little influence on performance and welfare of stable does with marginal advantages at linear feeder in regrouped does.