author(s)
Mohit Antil, Bhuvaneshwar Rai, Chetna Gangwar and Dhawal Kant Yadav

abstract
Bedding material plays an integral role in winter housing of goat kids and present study was undertaken in experimental shed of Central Institute for Research on Goats to analyze the effect of different bedding materials during winter on the health of Barbari kids. Thirty postË—weaned Barbari kids were selected and divided into three groups viz. group I, II and III with ten kids in each group and were kept on plastic slats, soil and rubber mats, respectively. To assess the health, parasitic load i.e. Egg per gram (E.P.G.) and Oocyst per gram (O.P.G.) were determined at every 3 week interval and dirt scoring was done on a monthly basis. The incidence of diseases p were recorded by direct observation method daily. Blood samples were collected on 20th, 50th and 80th day of experimental trail and serum antioxidant activity (MDA and DPPH) was evaluated. The difference between EPG values of different groups was found to be non-significant. The OPG values were significantly (P<0.05) higher in Gr-III than Gr-I. Highest dirt scores were exhibited by Gr III, followed by Gr II and Gr I, respectively. Overall incidence of diseases was highest in Gr III. MDA concentration was comparable between group I, II and III, respectively. DPPH activity was found to be significantly higher (P<0.05) in Gr III which indicates towards higher oxidative stress and the possible reasons are higher disease incidence and parasitic load. It is concluded that among the bedding materials used plastic slats improved the hygienic aspects (dirt score and worm load) in kids.