Environmental enrichment in dairy goats in a semi-arid region: Thermoregulatory and behavioral responses

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of environmental enrichment on the thermoregulatory and behavioral responses of goats raised in semi-arid conditions. 12 Saanen goats lactating, aged between 2 and 4 years, clinically healthy with a mean body weight of 31.4 ± 1.65 kg and body condition score between 2.0 and 2.5 were used. The types of enriched environments used were: 1) without environmental enrichment (control); 2) classical music;3) PET plastic bottles with corn;4) suspended tires;5) logs of wood; and 6) all objects simultaneously. The air temperature, black globe tempeature and humidity index, and radiant heat load were higher (P