Spatio-Thermal Variability and Behaviour as Bio-Thermal Indicators of Heat Stress in Dairy Cows in a Compost Barn: A Case Study.

Frederico Márcio Corrêa Vieira,Wellington Felipe Caetano,Aline Cristina Zambiasi dos Santos,Dorota Godyń,Tainara da Silva Lambertes,Allessandro Augusto Soares,Piotr Herbut,Edgar de Souza Vismara

doi:10.3390/ani11051197

Abstract

Simple SummaryThe thermal distribution inside a compost-bedded pack barn and the behavioural aspects plays an important role in terms of welfare and sustainability for dairy cows. Through a spatial variability assessment of thermal conditions in a compost barn, we found different regions with comfortable or stressful conditions based on air and bed temperature, as well as wind speed. Regarding the behaviour of cows with different number of lactations, we observed a higher probability of water intake in primiparous cows and increased walking behaviour in multiparous cows during the hottest periods. We suggest that special attention must be given to environmental control in a compost barn, mainly during hot seasons, to avoid different hot spots inside the facility. Additionally, with unbalanced environmental resources, the hierarchy of multiparous over primiparous cows might predominate the alleviation of the herd’s thermal stress.The spatial variability and behavioural aspects of compost-bedded pack barns remain unknown in subtropical regions. In this study, we investigated whether spatial variability occurs in the thermal environment of a compost barn and how the behaviour of dairy cows with different numbers of lactations differs in this system. The spatial sampling design comprised a grid of 108 locations inside the facility. At each location, we measured air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and bed temperature at 9:00, 12:00, and 15:00. We performed 24-h behavioural observations. Regarding spatial variability, the north face showed high air temperature values, and the distribution of relative humidity varied from the north to the south face. Kriging maps revealed a high bedding temperature trend, indicating heterogeneous ventilation management. Primiparous cows visited the water trough during the hottest hours of the day, whereas multiparous cows displayed a higher probability of walking during these periods. In conclusion, we observed a heterogeneous management of ventilation through the spatial distribution of the thermal environment inside the compost-bedded pack barn, with multiparous cows exhibiting dominance over primiparous cows seeking environmental resources.

Highlights

Compost-bedded pack barn systems are widespread in subtropical climates
We investigated the spatial variability of the thermal environment in a compost barn and the behaviour of dairy cows with different numbers of lactations in a subtropical climate
We developed an assessment using a geostatistical approach to rest occurred between 24:00 and 6:00 h when the index values presented the lowest values

Summary

Introduction

Compost-bedded pack barn systems are widespread in subtropical climates. This phenomenon is due to group housing characteristics, which aids better interaction among animals, a reduction in mastitis and lameness caused by the use of bedding, and better thermal control [1,2,3]. Mechanical ventilation has a dual purpose: to provide thermal comfort for cows by increasing convection from their bodies and assisting in bed drying [5]. The same authors warned that the homogeneity of thermal and ventilation conditions in the barn is fundamental because cows can cluster in specific areas with higher wind speed, producing substantial heterogeneity in the deposition of faeces and urine inside the barn

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Discussion

Conclusion