PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF DAIRY COWS AS A FUNCTION OF ENVIRONMENT IN HOLDING PEN

ABSTRACT This research aimed to assess the climatization configuration in a holding pen for dairy cattle considering physiological responses of animals and thermal comfort indexes. Experimental design consisted of 16 cows in a Latin square design containing four groups of four animals (G1, G2, G3 and G4) and four periods (P1, P2, P3 and P4), in which four environments were used as treatments: EXT – external environment (control); SHA – shading with polypropylene mesh, 80% light interception; S+S – shading and water sprinkling; and S+S+V – shading, sprinkling and ventilation. Dry and we...