Physiological and behavioral responses of Nellore steers to artificial shading in an intensive production system

Authors

  • Diogo Alves da Costa Ferro Universidade Estadual de Goiás
  • Emmanuel Arnhold Universidade Federal de Goiás
  • Claudia Peixoto Bueno Universidade Estadual de Goiás
  • Eliane Sayuri Miyagi Universidade Federal de Goiás
  • Rafael Alves da Costa Ferro Universidade Estadual de Goiás
  • Aracele Pinheiro Pales dos Santos Universidade Estadual de Goiás
  • Klayto José Gonçalves dos Santos Universidade Estadual de Goiás
  • Bruna Paula Alves da Silva Universidade Estadual de Goiás

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2016v37n4Supl1p2785

Keywords:

Ambience, Behavior, Performance, Welfare.

Abstract

The influence of artificial shading on environmental variables and on behavioral responses of Nellore steers in an intensive production system was evaluated in this study. The experiment was conducted in the experimental feedlot of the Department of Animal Science at Universidade Estadual de Goiás, from July to October 2014. Forty-eight male Nellore cattle with an average initial weight of 310 kg were kept in double 24-m2 stalls, in a total of 24 stalls. Of these, six were in the open air; six were covered with black shade netting of 30% light interception; six with black shade netting 50%; and six with black shade netting 80%, providing 6 m2 of shade per stall. Temperature-humidity index (THI) and respiratory frequency (RF) were assessed twice weekly and behavior was evaluated fortnightly during 12 h, between 06:00 h and 18.00 h. Feeding behavior, rumination, rest, and social activities such as body care and playful and abnormal activities were observed. A significant increase was found in THI and RF as the shading levels decreased, while a significant difference was recorded in rest and in other activities, water intake, and play behavior. Rest time and playful behavior increased significantly, and other activities and water intake decreased with the increase in shading levels. Shading does not change the time spent on feeding behaviors and rumination, or the frequencies of urination, defecation, cleaning other animals, self-cleaning, and social and abnormal types of behavior. The use of black shade netting of 80% light interception provides greater comfort to animals, promoting welfare and quality of life to them.

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Author Biographies

Diogo Alves da Costa Ferro, Universidade Estadual de Goiás

Prof. Dr. Titular, Curso de Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual de Goiás, UEG, São Luís de Montes Belos, GO, Brasil.

Emmanuel Arnhold, Universidade Federal de Goiás

Prof. Dr. Titular, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brasil.

Claudia Peixoto Bueno, Universidade Estadual de Goiás

Profa Dra Titular, Curso de Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual de Goiás, UEG, São Luís de Montes Belos, GO, Brasil.

Eliane Sayuri Miyagi, Universidade Federal de Goiás

Profa Dra Titular, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brasil.

Rafael Alves da Costa Ferro, Universidade Estadual de Goiás

Profa Dra Titular, Curso de Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual de Goiás, UEG, São Luís de Montes Belos, GO, Brasil.

Aracele Pinheiro Pales dos Santos, Universidade Estadual de Goiás

Profa Dra Titular, Curso de Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual de Goiás, UEG, São Luís de Montes Belos, GO, Brasil.

Klayto José Gonçalves dos Santos, Universidade Estadual de Goiás

Prof. Dr. Titular, Curso de Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual de Goiás, UEG, São Luís de Montes Belos, GO, Brasil.

Bruna Paula Alves da Silva, Universidade Estadual de Goiás

Profª M.e, Curso de Zootecnia, UEG, São Luís de Montes Belos, GO, Brasil.

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Published

2016-09-02

How to Cite

Ferro, D. A. da C., Arnhold, E., Bueno, C. P., Miyagi, E. S., Ferro, R. A. da C., Santos, A. P. P. dos, … Silva, B. P. A. da. (2016). Physiological and behavioral responses of Nellore steers to artificial shading in an intensive production system. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, 37(4Supl1), 2785–2792. https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2016v37n4Supl1p2785

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