Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXVI, Issue 1
Written by Svetoslava STOYCHEVA, Tsvetelina DIMITROVA, Lora MONDESHKA, Nikolay MARKOV, Miroslav HRISTOV
The behaviour of the mother goat plays a decisive role in the survival of the newborn kid. There are conflicting opinions regarding the influence of temperament on maternal behaviour in different animal species. In goats, as species that possess a behaviour of "hiding" their newborn, temperament should significantly influence the development of the relationship between the newborn kid and its mother. This is especially important in animals giving birth for the first time. Knowing the relationship between temperament and maternal response in goats would lead to better management of technological processes on the farm, which in turn would increase kid survival rates and reduce mortality rates. Various tests are used worldwide to determine the temperament of farm animals, some of which are applicable to goats. The aim of this review is to summarize the methods of determining temperament in dairy goats and how it affects the goat's behaviour towards the kid.
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