Detection of heat stress in boer goats using infrared thermography and different methodologies

The objective of this research was to measure the surface temperature of goats by means of thermography, as well as to analyze if there is a difference between the amount of points collected to evaluate the average surface temperature. The research was carried out in a climatic chamber, evaluating the body surface temperature of goats using different methodologies at different air temperatures. The experimental design used was completely randomized with a 3x4 factorial scheme (three temperatures and four points of surface temperature collection) with six replications. The data obtained were evaluated using the Statistical Analysis System by applying the analysis of variance and Tukey test for the significant variables. However, it is concluded that there is no difference between the analysis of the average surface temperature in 3 or 8 points of the body, being proposed the analysis in 4 points, being forehead, side, neck and shin, considering that they are the places where it occurs more intense cutaneous evaporation in goats.