VPE 511: Environment and Environmental Hygiene (2+1)

REQUIREMENTS OF LIVESTOCK BUILDINGS 

• This aspect is of prime importance in maintaining good sanitation. Farm livestock are hometherms. They maintain a thermal balance between the heat they produce or gain from the environment and the heat they loose to it.
• The heat produced and released by the body is related to the working efficiency and production. While small amount of heat is lost with excretions and secretions, the main losses are through radiation, convection, conduction and evaporation.
• The temperature of surroundings, air temperature and humidity of air inside the sheds and movement of air within and outside the buildings determine the heat loss/ gain by convection.
• Temperature regulation of the body is a function of immense importance especially during hot and cold weather to maintain good health and productivity. Similarly, the atmosphere with 30 to 90 per cent relative humidity allows the livestock to thrive well. The moisture produced by the animals within the sheds has to be removed through proper ventilation.
• Air movement inside the animal house requires due attention to ensure health and productivity of livestock. Air temperature above and below body temperature tend to reduce dissemination of body temperature and compels animals through more exercise, more feed intake and sufferings.
• The animals should be kept in thermo comfort zone, within which they capable of giving an optimal performance. They should not be forced to huddle or separate themselves warm or cool, respectively. They should remain in complete harmony with their environment. Development of such a zone depends on many factors, viz., species , age, weight and sex of animals and feeding rate, acclimatization, husbandry system.