Bedding material: A critical component of housing of goat kids during winters: A Review

Abstract

Bedding material is one of the most vital components of housing of kids during winters. The bedding material can help in augmentation of animal welfare and health. Thermal conductivity, softness, cleanliness and slipperiness are considered some of the pivotal characteristics of bedding material for farm animals. The stress induced by extreme of climatic conditions is abated by the bedding material, hence providing a favorable microclimate to the kids. Better physical properties of bedding materials translates into increased cleanliness which ultimately leads to reduced incidence of diseases, structural disorders like lameness and internal parasites. Good bedding material helps the farmer to achieve better growth rates of kids even during severe winter by having positive effect on the physiological, metabolic and haematological profiles of kids.