Effect of body cooling systems on micro-climatic variable in semi -loose house for animals during hot-dry and hot-humid conditions of costal india

Abstract

To study the effect of cooling system on microclimate variable three treatments based on animal body cooling systems i.e., shelter without cooling system (control, T1),with fogging (T2) and with showering (T3) in semi-loose house were designed. Common environmental variables like maximum and minimum temperature and relative humidity were recorded during hot-dry and hot-humid conditions. The maximum temperature (oC) was found significantly (P< 0.05) lower during hot-dry condition under fogging system (T2- 32.28 ± 0.23) than other treatments (T1- 33.89 ± 0.29 and T3-33.17 ± 0.26). Moreover, during hot-humid condition showering (T3-31.09 ± 0.16) was also significantly (P< 0.05) effective. Overall average maximum microclimatic temperature (oC) in T1, T2, and T3 was lower as compared to open macroclimatic. Relative humidity (%) was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in hot-humid as compared to hot-dry condition in respective treatments, (T1-79.09 ± 1.09 Vs 65.53 ± 1.00, T2-85.10 ± 0.86 Vs. 76.84 ± 0.73, T3-80.58 ± 1.05Vs. 67.83 ± 0.95 and open 79.94 ± 1.12 Vs 55.64 ± 1.07). During afternoon (2:30 PM) the per cent THI was found significantly (P< 0.05) lower under fogging (T2-80.22 ± 0.20) and showering (T3- 80.38 ± 0.21) as compared to control (T1-82.43 ± 0.21) during hot-dry condition. Overall result of treatments showed that the afternoon percent THI was significantly (P< 0.05) lower under showering (T3-80.65 ± 0.17) than other treatments (T1-83.31 ± 0.17 and T2-81.94 ± 0.15) and it was significantly (P< 0.05) different within cooling treatments like T2 and T3. This study showed significant effect of cooling system. Moreover fogging was better as it utilized less water, as compared to showering during hot dry condition.