Effect of different roofing materials on the behavioral patterns of HF crossbred cows

Abstract

The study evaluated the impact of different roofing materials on the behavioral patterns of crossbred Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows under hot climatic conditions. The experiment was conducted at the Livestock Farm Complex, N.D.V.S.U., Mhow (M.P.), involving 18 cows housed under three different roofing types: asbestos (G1), galvanized iron (G2), and pre-painted galvanized iron (G3). Behavioral parameters such as standing, sitting, and lying down were recorded over a 90-day period. Results showed that cows under galvanized iron sheets (G2) exhibited the highest standing time (16.48±0.27 hours), indicating thermal discomfort. In contrast, cows under asbestos (G1) and pre-painted GI sheets (G3) exhibited higher sitting (5.63±0.89 and 5.33±0.60 hours, respectively) and lying down behavior (4.00±0.12 and 3.61±0.23 hours, respectively), suggesting improved thermal comfort. The Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) was highest in G2 (83.56±0.65) and lowest in G1 (81.60±0.50), confirming increased heat stress under GI sheets. This suggests that cows in more stressful environments tend to stand more often, possibly due to discomfort. Conversely, cows under asbestos roofs exhibited more sitting and lying behavior, which are indicative of a more comfortable and relaxed state.