Effect of different types of dairy cattle shelters on micro-climatic variable in rural West Bengal

Abstract

The study was conducted to find out the impact of different shelter types on environmental variables. Five different types of housing systems namely; Shelter-1: GI sheet roof with brick/mud floor with no surrounding wall; Shelter-2: GI sheet roof with brick/Rcc floor and brick/jute stick wall; Shelter-3: Tile roof with brick floor and no wall; Shelter-4: Tile roof with brick floor and brick/jute stick wall, and Shelter–5: Polythene sheet roof with mud floor and jute stick wall were selected in two villages. The inside maximum and minimum temperatures, wet and dry bulb temperatures of all the shelter system were recorded. Season significantly influenced (P<0.01) maximum and minimum temperatures, relative humidity and temperature humidity index (THI) of different housing systems. Shelter-4 had lower maximum temperature (P<0.01) as compared to shelter-1. THI and RH values were lower in shelter-3 during all the seasons as compared to other housing systems indicating thereby more thermally comfortable environment. Shelter-1 and 2 had higher maximum temperature, THI and RH and also involved higher cost of construction than tile roof. Animals kept in shelter-5 were uncomfortable due to higher maximum temperature in all seasons and the maximum temperature was higher even during winter season. Cows maintained in shelter 3 produced significantly more milk in comparison to cows maintained in other housing systems. It was concluded that shelter-3 could be made more comfortable by giving provision of adequate ventilation, regular water bath, adequate drinking water and feed formulations to sustain productivity of cows in summer.