PRODUCTIVITY AND COMFORT OF KEEPING COWS AT LOW ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURES

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the effect of low temperatures on productivity, microclimate parameters and comfort of keeping cows in different variants of prefabricated premises. The research was conducted in the central part of Ukraine (Kyiv region, Bila Tserkva district) in three farms where animals are kept loose at different sizes of prefabricated premises. The first option is a prefabricated room without insulation elements; the second prefabricated room with elements of warming of side walls by polycarbonate glass; the third in an easy-to-assemble room on a deep, long-lasting straw litter. The average annual number of dairy cows in all farms is 400. The studies were performed in the thermoneutral period, when the average daily ambient temperature did not fall below -5.0 ° C (17 days) and the period of high-temperature load, when the value of the average daily ambient temperature was -15 °C and below (11 days). It was found that prolonged low-temperature load significantly affects the comfort of cows in the options for keeping in easily assembled rooms of different types. The average daily air temperature in all variants of easily assembled rooms was negative. At the same time, during boxing without insulation elements, the temperature was -5.3 ° С, which is slightly lower than the permissible values ​​recommended for dairy cattle. The best values ​​among prefabricated premises in terms of microclimate indicators, bioclimatic indices, resting place temperatures and energy costs for heat production were for the use of polycarbonate glass insulation systems during the winter period. The use of elements of insulation of easily assembled premises provided the lowest among the studied options of premises reduction of productivity in the period of low-temperature load.