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Year 2013 - Volume 33, Number 11
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Physiological and behavioral responses of Holstein cows housed under cooling system, 33(11):1379-1384
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ABSTRACT.- Vilela R.A., Leme T.M.C., Fantinato Neto P., Titto C.G., Pereira A.F.M., Balieiro J.C.C. & Titto E.A.L. 2013. [Physiological and behavioral responses of Holstein cows housed under cooling system.] Repostas fisiológicas e comportamentais de vacas Holandesas mantidas em sistema adiabático evaporativo. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 33(11):1379-1384. Laboratório de Biometeorologia e Etologia, Departamento de Zootecnia, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Duque de Caxias Norte 225, Pirassununga, SP 13635-900, Brazil. E-mail: reissa@usp.br
This study aimed to evaluate the influence of cooling systems, ventilation and nebulization on the physiology and behavior of Holstein cows housed in free-stall during the summer of southeastern Brazil. 20 Holstein cows were subjected to two treatments with and without cooling system. Environmental parameters dry bulb temperature, relative humidity and black globe temperature were also recorded. Rectal temperature and respiratory rate were evaluated at 5h, 9h30min, 11h30min, 13h30min, 16h30min, 18h30min e 21h30min. The behavioral variables recorded were posture and activities from 5h to 21:30h. Statistics we done using the method of least squares means. Despite the statistical differences obtained for the physiological variables, they were not biologically effective and indicated that the animals were in thermal comfort. Animals that had ventilation and nebulization have eaten even during the hottest hours of the day. The cooling system is a strategy that allows greater thermal comfort to animals and therefore can optimize milk production by increasing the dietary intake. |
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