Heat loss by cutaneous evaporation and hair coat characteristics (coat thickness, hair length, number of hairs per unit area, and hair diameter) were measured in 254 Saanen, Alpine, and crossbred (½ Boer ½ Saanen) goats. The hair coat thickness was measured just below the dorsal line of thorax followed by collection of hair samples using adapted pliers. Cutaneous evaporation was measured by a ventilated capsule technique in three regions (neck, thorax center, and hind leg) that were assumed to be representative of the average rate of cutaneous evaporation from the whole skin surface. Goats showed low density hair coats constituted by thin and long hair. Heat loss measured by cutaneous evaporation was lower than that reported in cattle; crossbred animals (½ Boer ½ Saanen) had greater rates of cutaneous evaporation than the purebred Saanen and Alpine goats.
dairy goats; cutaneous evaporation
