Abstract
This study evaluated the thermal comfort conditions in two individuals calve shelter models covered with fiber cement tile without ceiling and using a ceiling made of low density particleboards from agro-industrial by-products (40% sugarcane bagasse and 60% Pinus sp. shavings) bonded with polyurethane bi-component resin based on castor oil. In the ambience study, dry bulb temperature (DBT), black globe temperature (BGT) and relative humidity (RH) of the calf hutches were evaluated. Indices, such as Black Globe Temperature and Humidity Index (BGHI) and Radiant Thermal Load (RTL), and also thermographic images of the internal surface of the shelters were studied. The use of fuzzy modeling has been proposed, allowing the comparison of the BGT, BGHI and RTL indices, and via these values, attributing the comfort situation, thus seeking to optimize the experimental evaluations. The results indicate that the presence of the ceiling did not contribute to a heat level reduction inside the shelters, which presented above the comfort conditions for the animals during the summer. Through observation, there was a reduction of the internal temperature of the surfaces of the shelter with a ceiling.
Highlights
Calves occupy a stage under intense attention within cattle and milk production
Analyzing the ambient temperature (DBT) behavior during the day, it was observed that average values established peaks around 11 a.m. and 2 p.m, following the same pattern found by Kawabata et al (2005), Barnabé et al (2014) and Cabral et al (2017) in their studies using calves’ facilities
There was no statistical difference of dry bulb temperatures (5% of significance) between the installation with ceiling (B1) and without that structural element (B2)
Summary
Calves occupy a stage under intense attention within cattle and milk production This is due to the fact that these animals constitute the first evolutionary stage of the herd, a delicate phase in which calves are subject to various factors that may be negative for their performance, such as inadequate facilities, poor postpartum care and hygiene. Brazilian climatic conditions - where high temperatures are frequently reached during much of the year - can cause thermal stress in the animals, which are often from European regions (BARNABÉ et al 2014) In this context, shelters for calves must offer conditions for good hygiene and welfare and may be constructed using different kind of materials, such as bamboo, wood and roofing tiles of several geometries and compositions (FERREIRA, 2005). In order to ensure improvements in thermal comfort, these facilities commonly called calf hutches or calf shelters - should be structured to minimize temperature fluctuations, reduce internal relative humidity and promote air ventilation without allowing the occurrence of cold air streams (KAWABATA, 2005)
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