Effect of Raising Beef Cattle in the Double Shaded House on Their Fattening Performance in Thailand

Abstract

5 Abstract: The fattening performance of beef cattle improved by raising in double shaded house in Thailand. Eight fattening crossbred beef cattle, (50 to 75% Charolais crossbred cattle), were randomly assigned into two groups. They were raised under the management of small holders in Pon-Yang-Kham Co-operative in Sakon Nakhon, Thailand. In group 1, cattle were allocated in normal house which had one shade of zinc metal roof without ceiling and it was open house. In group 2, cattle were allocated in double shaded house which had one lower shade of zinc metal roof at the under and one upper shade of black plastic slant over the latter roof. After preliminary experimental period for 2 weeks, the temperature and relative humidity in houses were recorded and blood samples were collected on day 0, 90 and 180 of experimental duration to determine cortisol concentration. Changes in general physiology (rectal temperature, pulse rates, respiration rates, heat tolerance co-efficiency; HTC and sweating rates) and hematology (hematocrit (%), hemoglobin, blood glucose and blood urea nitrogen and cortisol concentration) were recorded through the experimental period. The temperature humidity index (THI) affected on the general physiological changes of cattle between group 1 and group 2 which were highly significant different (p<0.01) viz. rectal temperature (39.36 and 39.09°C), pulse rates (72.24 and 64.48 breaths/min), respiration rates (50.42 and 44.20 b/t), HTC (80.60 and 88.20%) and sweating rates (1.060 and 840 (mL/m /h), respectively and hematology and cortisol 2 concentration in blood serum of fattening beef cattle in both groups were increased (p<0.01). The fattening performance of cattle between group 1 and group 2 were significant different (p<0.05) as follows; final weight (722.62 and 748.20 kg), ADG (656.15 and 732.50 g/d), dressing percentage (54.24 and 60.40%) and marbling (3.51 and 3.84%). We suggest that raising beef cattle in a modified double shaded house is capable of improving fattening performance in the semi-tropical countries.