Abstract
In Tropical regions, the animal performance is often affected by climate conditions. This study aimed to evaluate covering materials in individual shelters, normally used to house dairy calves, and its influence on the calves physiology and performance. The design used was completely randomized, with a 2x3 factorial arrangement to compare the averages of 5% through the Tukey's test, i.e., both genders- and three types of covering in the shelters (Z - zinc; AC - asbestos cement; and WPAC - white-painted asbestos cement). Parameters evaluated included daily weight gain (DWG), dry matter intake (DMI), feed conversion (FC), rectal temperature (RT), and respiratory frequency (RF). Results showed significant differences (P < 0.05) among males (1.04kg/day) and females (0.74kg/day) for DWG and interaction between gender and treatment (P < 0.05) for zinc covering (0.562kg/day for females and 1.120kg/day for males). Significant differences were also observed in FI of animals housed under shelters with the covering of zinc (48.35kgDM/day for females and 96.91 kgDM/day for males). There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the FC and the RT, and there were significant differences (P < 0.05) for RF in the Z treatments (56.9 mov.min-1), WPAC (62.2 mov.min-1) and FC (70.25 mov.min-1). It was concluded that different covering materials did not affect performance and dry matter intake of dairy calves. However, the animals' physiology of thermoregulation was altered by the different covering materials used in individual shelters.
Highlights
IntroductionAccording to CARMO (2008), is of utmost importance that the production facilities promote animal comfort, because in situations of stress the animal tends to increase its rectal temperature and respiratory rate, beyond decreasing significantly its productive performance
In tropical countries like Brazil, one of the main limiting factors for animal welfare and to achieve a good yield are environmental factors, which include high temperatures and high humidity within the facilities, causing stress to the animal and consequent decreased production (SOUSA, 2005).According to CARMO (2008), is of utmost importance that the production facilities promote animal comfort, because in situations of stress the animal tends to increase its rectal temperature and respiratory rate, beyond decreasing significantly its productive performance
This study evaluated the influence of three types of covering, i.e., Z - Zinc, AC – asbestos cement; and WPAC – white-painted asbestos cement, in individual shelter for calves, regarding to their thermoregulation physiological responses, as rectal temperature and respiratory rate, and regarding to animal performance, such as weight gain, dry matter intake and feed conversion
Summary
According to CARMO (2008), is of utmost importance that the production facilities promote animal comfort, because in situations of stress the animal tends to increase its rectal temperature and respiratory rate, beyond decreasing significantly its productive performance. According to TINOCO (2001), when the room temperature is outside the thermal comfort zone, the development of animal and feed conversion efficiency are compromised due to fall in food intake induced by heat. This helps the animal homeothermy, but brings in economic loss to the producer. MATARAZZO (2006) emphasized the importance of the materials used in the manufacture of coverings have properties that allow better reflection of the sunbeams in order to reduce the thermal indexes within the facilities
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