Seasonal correlations of biometric and physiological parameters in Osmanabadi goats under farm and field conditions in Maharashtra

This study investigated the seasonal relationships between biometric and physiological parameters in Osmanabadi goats reared under farm and field conditions at Udgir, Maharashtra. A total of 180 goats, categorised into growing and adult, were studied across summer, monsoon and winter seasons. Physiological indicators included respiration rate, rectal temperature and pulse rate, while biometric traits comprised body length, chest girth, height at withers and body weight. Adaptability was assessed using indices such as the Benezra Coefficient of Adaptability (BCA), Iberia Heat Tolerance Coefficient (IHTC) and Dairy Search Index (DSI). Results revealed strong positive correlations among body length, chest girth and body weight, confirming their utility as growth markers. Elevated body temperatures and DSI were associated with reduced heat tolerance, particularly in field-reared goats, which faced greater environmental challenges than farm-reared goats. Seasonal variations, notably in summer and monsoon, significantly affected physiological stress responses. These findings emphasise the importance of integrating biometric and physiological data to enhance management strategies aimed at improving growth performance and heat resilience in Osmanabadi goats.