Thermoregulatory behavior of dairy cows submitted to bedding temperature variations in Compost barn systems

Abstract

There is a need to propose techniques for bed surface temperature monitoring (TSB) and to understand the effects of climatic conditions on the welfare parameters of dairy cattle in the Compost barn system. This study aims to monitor TSB during dry (DP) and rainy period (RP) and the environmental, physiological and behavioral variables of dairy cattle, in order to relate the influence of these factors to the thermal comfort of the animals through the use of the geostatistics. The research was conducted in a completely randomized design in factorial arrangement 2 x 2, [periods and shifts]. The physiological data (respiratory rate - RR and surface temperature - TS), environmental (air temperature and relative humidity) and behavioral variables were submitted to ANOVA and compared by the Student t test (P <0.05). The dry period presented less favorable environmental conditions, resulting in higher (P <0.05) RF of the animals and higher TSB. The afternoon shift presented more severe conditions (P <0.05). The environmental conditions in the DP provided conditions of discomfort, which resulted in a higher requirement in the thermoregulation of these animals in relation to RP, which also contributed to behavioral changes of the animals.