Managing Stress in Goats for a Happy Herd
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By managing stress in goats, you can foster a healthier and happier goat herd by understanding, and addressing stressors.
THE ART AND SCIENCE OF RAISING animals have prompted us to implement management practices that benefit their health and wellbeing. One of the areas where we continually research and try to improve is stress. No matter what environment you create for your goats, they’ll eventually encounter stress.
“Typical stressors such as transport, shearing, isolation, and heat exposure are topics that have been extensively researched for its stress impact factor,” writes Leon Paul Kruger of the University of Pretoria in his research paper, “The Effect of Environmental Factors and Husbandry Practices on Stress in Goats.” Other routine handling procedures are often less researched, notes Kruger. But they have the potential to cause short-term or temporary stress as well.
Let’s be honest; something like disease, injury, or a necessary veterinary procedure will always be stressful. We can identify and reduce stressors to eliminate their impact or negative influence. Animals with minimal stress tend to have more robust immune systems, higher production levels, more effortless handling ability, and an overall better quality of life.
According to Suzanne W. Gasparotto of Onion Creek Ranch, stress triggers the release of adrenaline and cortisol, inducing emergency responses in the body. Effective stress management is essential, as stress significantly contributes to goat mortality. Managing your goats and their pastures is crucial to safeguard your goats’ well-being.
What are Stressors?
For the domestic goat, some of the most stressful events happen during routine care procedures. This is anything that disrupts day-to-day life activities, like hoof care, shearing, or vaccines. Other stressors include incorrect diet, overcrowding, temperature extremes, lack of protection from the elements, inadequate exercise or pen space, too much noise, parturition, and transportation.
Stressful events are seldom standalone events. Procedures like hoof trimming and shearing are often done at the same time for the sake of convenience. These “compounding events” result in more significant stress to the animal with minimal recovery time.
Stressful events are seldom standalone events. For example, overcrowded goats are often subject to reduced appetite and excess parasitic versions. Procedures like hoof trimming and shearing are often done at the same time for the sake of convenience. These “compounding events” result in more significant stress to the animal with minimal recovery time.
Climate-based stressful events, such as heat or cold, might be less obvious but cause compounding events that impact productivity.
Mitigating stress in goats effectively
To best mitigate stressful events, understand the signs and symptoms in your herd. Often, these are very subtle.
With long-lasting stress, such as housing or climate issues, animals may be slightly off their regular feed or drink less water. It isn’t uncommon for diarrhea and respiratory problems to surface surrounding stressful events.
Certain events will be stressful no matter what, including disbudding, dehorning, castrating, blood draws, vaccinations, and the like. Good handling practices are vital in minimizing the stress these may cause.
Some ways to reduce stress include offering grain or another treat before, after, or during the process. Doing these things in a familiar area, like a stall or milk stanchion, can also help. Tailor your approach to what your animals know and are familiar with.
Stress triggers the release of adrenaline and cortisol, inducing emergency responses in the body, and significantly contributes to goat mortality.
Be sure whoever assists you also understands the basics of handling, or enlist someone familiar to your goats. Using a calm voice and talking throughout the procedure will also help to put your goats at ease.
One of the best things you can do is to strategically manage stressful events to allow adequate recovery time between them and avoid the compound effect. Sick and immunosuppressed animals should always be allowed to fully recover before attempting any new stressful activities.
Taking proactive steps against stress in goats
While stress-related impacts are often temporary and minimally harmful, they can be especially perilous for young and vulnerable animals. Chronic stressors like can go unnoticed and have long-lasting effects. Detecting symptoms of heat stress, such as sweating and panting, or cold stress, indicated by depression and shivering, necessitates immediate action to adjust facilities.
After stressful procedures on young kids, ensuring their comfort is paramount. Offering a bottle or extra grain, keeping them in a familiar environment, and removing troublesome herd mates, if needed, aid in their recovery. Regular monitoring and prompt intervention are essential, and consulting a veterinarian is crucial if signs of depression, illness, or infection emerge.
Minimizing pain plays a pivotal role in stress reduction. Collaborating with veterinarians to obtain prescription pain relief, such as lidocaine, for disbudding can alleviate stress. For susceptible animals, exploring mild sedation options with a veterinarian can be a worthwhile consideration.
Raising goats involves mastering the art of managing stress in goats. You can foster a healthier and happier goat herd by identifying, understanding, and proactively addressing stressors. Practicing proper handling techniques, recognizing early signs of stress, and employing strategic management approaches can significantly enhance the wellbeing and productivity of your goats. Ultimately, the journey to minimizing stress is a continuous process that requires dedication and a keen understanding of your animals’ needs.
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JACLYN KRYMOWSKI is a graduate of the Ohio State University with a BS in animal industries. A dairy enthusiast, she milks, raises, and shows registered Alpines and Nubians. You can find her blog at the-herdbook.com.
SOURCES :
- Gasparotto, S. W. (2016, October 7). Everything You Think You Know About Goats Is Probably Wrong. Stress and Goats. https:// www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/ articles2/stressandgoats.html
- Froehlich, K., & Whaley, J. (2023, May 4). Heat stress in small ruminants. SDSU Extension. https://extension.sdstate.edu/heatstress- small-ruminants
- Kruger, L. P. (2015, April 14). The Effect of Environmental Factors and Husbandry Practices on Stress in Goats. UPSpace Home. https://repository.up.ac.za/ handle/2263/45865
Originally published in the November/December 2023 issue of Goat Journal and regularly vetted for accuracy.
