Seasonal and Annual Changes of Some Climate Factors in Different Areas of Loose Dairy Cattle Barns

Year 2022, Volume: 36 Issue: 1, 82 - 90, 25.04.2022

Elif Şahin Suci Nuh Uğurlu

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the changes of some climatic factors throughout the year in different barn areas in a loose system dairy cattle shelter. For this, digital temperature-humidity meters were placed on different shelter areas, and measurements were made for a year. By developing a different and new model as well as the maximum, minimum and average values in a certain time period in five different areas of the shelter, the temperature and humidity values were categorized into specific groups (stressful, slightly stressful, suitable, etc.) and it was determined how long the animals were exposed to what temperature and humidity values. According to the results, the animals were exposed to temperatures between 5-25 °C for approximately 80% of their time in the spring and autumn seasons, 40% in the winter season, and 50-55% in the summer season. At optimum temperatures (10-20 °C), the animals spent approximately 50% of their total time in spring and autumn, 20% in summer, and 15% in winter. Animals were exposed to heat stress (ti≥32 °C) for only 5-7% of their total time in summer and to cold stress (ti <-5 °C) for only 6-14% of the time in winter. Dairy cattle were found to spend 60% of their annual total time in the appropriate temperature range and approximately 33% of the annual time in the optimum temperature range. Animals were exposed to heat stress and cold stress for about 6-7% and 2-3%, respectively of their total time per year. Animals were exposed to the relative humidity in the range of 40-90%, for approximately 50-60% of their total time throughout the year. According to the results of the research, it was determined that open system shelters planned to protect animals from cold in winter and heat in summer, not create a significant climatic stress on animals.

Keywords

Animal welfare, Climatic stress, Cold stress, Critical temperatures, Heat stress, Dairy cattle barn