Effect of Controlling Light on Cashmere Growth and Harmful Gas Parameters in Shanbei White Cashmere Goats
by
,
Wenyuan Cui
1,
Changlong Lin
1,
Yuyang Liu
1,
Zhixin Qiu
1,
Wenrui Gao
2,
Chunxin Wang
3,
Yulin Chen
1 and
Yuxin Yang
1,* 1
Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
2
Hengshan District Animal Husbandry Bureau, Yulin 719000, China
3
Jilin Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Gongzhuling 136100, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Animals 2023, 13(6), 995; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13060995
Submission received: 7 February 2023
/
Revised: 25 February 2023
/
Accepted: 6 March 2023
/
Published: 9 March 2023
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research in Sheep and Goat for Better Fiber (Wool and Cashmere) Production)
Simple Summary
Existing studies have paid attention to the effect of light-controlled conditions on the increase in cashmere production but changes in the environmental parameters of goat houses have been ignored. In this study, we monitored concentrations of CO2 and NH3 in a light-controlled goat house while evaluating the effect of light-controlled conditions on the increase in cashmere production. The results show that the concentrations of harmful gases under short photoperiod treatment are harmful to the health of goats. This study will provide a reference for the formulation of ventilation schemes in light-controlled goat houses.
Abstract
The quality and yield of cashmere closely affect the economic benefits of cashmere goat farming. Studies have shown that controlling light can have an important impact on cashmere but can also affect the concentration of harmful gases. In order to explore the impact of a short photoperiod on the growth of cashmere and harmful gases in goat houses, 130 female (non-pregnant) Shanbei white cashmere goats, aged 4–5 years with similar body weights, were randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group, with 65 goats in each group. The dietary nutrition levels of the experimental goats were the same, and completely natural light was used in the control group; the light control group received light for 7 h every day (9:30–16:30), and the rest of the time (16:30–9:30 the next day) they did not receive light. The light control treatment was carried out in a control house, and the gas content was analyzed. It was found that a shortened period of light exposure could increase the annual average cashmere production by 34.5%. The content of each gas has a certain functional relationship with the measurement time period, but at the same time, we found that the content of NH3 also changes seasonally. In summary, the use of shortened light periods when raising cashmere goats can significantly increase cashmere production and quality, but at the same time, it will increase the concentration of harmful gases in the goat barn, and ventilation should be increased to ensure the health of the goats and the air quality in the barn.
Keywords:
goat; cashmere; light control; photoperiod; harmful gas
