Supplementation of feed and water after long-duration road transportation: The effects on welfare and rumen fermentation in goats

Abstract

Water and feed are needed for livestock during their long-duration road transportation. However, limited information is available on the need to supply water and feed to livestock at temporary holding stations after road transportation. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of providing water and feed at holding stations on the welfare of goats in mimic surroundings. A total of 24 Guizhou black goats were randomly divided into three groups of eight goats each as follows: deprived of water and feed (TRT0), supplemented with water ad libitum (TRT1), and supplemented with water and feed ad libitum (TRT2). Blood and rumen fluid samples were collected before loading (denoted as “PRE” in this article) and after transport (denoted as “POST” in this article). Statistical analysis was performed via the SAS procedure PROC MIXED. The 10-h road transportation period reduced body weight in TRT0 goats (p < 0.05) but not in TRT1 and TRT2 (p > 0.05). TRT0 and TRT1 goats had POST plasma glucose concentrations above their PRE values (p < 0.05). The PRE-plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) levels were higher in TRT2 compared to TRT0 (p < 0.05) goats, while the POST–PUN levels increased in TRT1 compared to TRT0 goats. The POST non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration was higher for TRT0 compared to that in TRT1 and TRT2 (p < 0.05) goats. No difference was observed for plasma profiles of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p > 0.05). TRT2 goats had higher POST glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity than TRT0 and TRT1 (p < 0.05) goats. TRT0 goats had higher POST plasma glucagon (GC) compared to TRT2 (p < 0.05) and had increased values compared to their own PRE level as a result of road transportation (p < 0.05). TRT2 goats resulted in a lower POST plasma heat-stressed protein-70 (HSP-70) level than TRT0. There was no difference in ruminal pH (p > 0.05). Ruminal total VFA (acetate, propionate, butyrate), and the NH3-ammonia profiles showed a decrease (p < 0.05) after transportation in all groups. Ruminal microcrystalline cellulose, xylanase, cellobiase, and carboxymethyl cellulose activities were unaffected (p > 0.05). These combined results imply that water and feed supplementation to livestock can effectively alleviate stress responses in goats subjected to road transportation and emphasize the necessity to establish water and feed supplies even at a temporary holding pen.