Abstract
Aim: To find out the influence of different types of roofing materials on micro-climate in animal loose housing system during rainy season. Materials and Methods: Different shade materials were used for covered area under each of three treatments. Thatch shading roof (T ), Agro-net shading roof (T ), Asbestos with canvas shading roof (T ). Long axis of the paddock was east-to-west 1 2 3 orientation. The covered area floor space was 1.5 ×1 m (excluding manger) for each animal and open paddock was 2 × 1 m. Height of shed at eaves was 2 meter. Daily temperature (maximum and minimum) and dry bulb and wet bulb temperature of macro and micro- environment under different treatments were recorded at 9:30 AM and 2:00 PM of Indian Standard Time (IST) by using maximum and minimum thermometer and dry and wet bulb thermometer. Both inside and outside surface temperatures of shade materials were measured by infrared digital thermometer (ebro, TFI 220). The statistical procedures followed were two way ANOVA and Paired 'T' test. Results: During the experimental period, maximum temperature was recorded under asbestos and lowest temperature was in agro-net and maximum protection from high temperature was given during peak hot hours in agro-net than asbestos. THI was more (P<0.05) under asbestos than agro-net and thatch.The outside surface temperature at 9.30 AM and 2:00 PM (IST) was significantly lower (P<0.05) in agro-net than thatch and asbestos. Conclusion: Thatch and agro-net were better in warding off the hot and humid environmental condition in comparison to asbestos.
Highlights
Basic concept of housing is that it should normally buffer the extremes of climatic condition to lower peak stress on animal and provide protection from predators
During the experimental period, maximum temperature was recorded under asbestos and lowest temperature was in agro-net and maximum protection from high temperature was given during peak hot hours in agro-net than asbestos
Different shade materials were used for covered area under each treatment in following manner.T1: Thatch shading roof: Layer of paddy straw of 4 inch thickness was fixed to bamboo frame, T2: Agro-net shading roof, T3 – Asbestos with canvas shaded roof: commercially available asbestos was used and canvas laid over outer surface with 2-3 inch gap between them to reduce the thermal conductivity of asbestos
Summary
Basic concept of housing is that it should normally buffer the extremes of climatic condition to lower peak stress on animal and provide protection from predators. It should create a microenvironment inside the animal house, which protects the animal from stressful environment and allow efficiency of labor utilization. One of the most important purpose of livestock shed is to reduce the heat load on animals sheltered under it. The amount of reduction in radiant heat load and micro environment inside the shed depends on the design and the material used for the shade [4,5]
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