Abstract
Aim:To identify the suitable roofing pattern for dairy cattle in North East Zone of Tamil Nadu, India, based on micro climatic conditions.Materials and Methods:Initially, survey was conducted to identify and categorize the major housing patterns existing in the region for further detailed investigation. In total, 30 farmers/farms consisting of five housing types with six replicates were selected. Temperature and temperature humidity index (THI) were recorded using the maximum-minimum thermometer and digital thermo-hygrometers. The study was conducted for 1 year covering four seasons namely South West monsoon (June-August), North East monsoon (September-November), cold season (December-February), and summer season (April-May). The data were statistically analyzed using statistical package SPSS 17.Results:Animal shelters with cement sheets recorded the highest temperature (26.71±1.13°C) and THI (77.23±1.76) at 8.00 am, whereas the lowest temperature (24.83±1.17°C) and THI (74.54±1.72) were recorded in the thatched shed. There was significant difference (p<0.01) in temperature and THI at 8.00 am during South West monsoon and North East monsoon seasons between the housing types. During cold and summer seasons, there was no significant difference (p≥0.05) in the environmental variables among various shelter systems.Conclusion:Thatched housing is found to be the suitable one with respect to the climatic variables, followed by tile roof and metal roof. The cement sheet roofed housing is found to be the most unsuitable one in the region for dairy cattle.
Highlights
Production and health of animals depend mostly on environment in which they live
The minimum temperature recorded during all the four seasons in the zone was within the upper temperature limit of comfort zone for optimum milk production recommended by Dutt et al [3], Fuquay [16], Mote [17]
The temperature at 2.00 pm was above this level in all the housing systems indicating the need for additional heat amelioration measures
Summary
Production and health of animals depend mostly on environment in which they live. A conducive environment for any farm livestock is the one that ensures optimal productivity and meets the health and behavioral needs of the animals. The macro and micro environment have strong influence on farm animals with air temperature having the primary effect, and altered by wind, precipitation, humidity and radiation. The impact of the thermal environment can be described in terms of effective ambient temperature which combines the various climatic factors. The extended periods of high ambient temperature coupled with high relative humidity compromise the ability of dairy animals to dissipate excess body heat in Indian climatic conditions [1,2].
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