Avaliação do microclima do aprisco elevado de ovinos em sistema semi-confinado do Instituto Federal do Amapá - parte 1

Abstract

The work aimed to characterize and evaluate the microclimate of the sheepfold building in the school farm of the Federal Institute of Amapá, Porto Grande agricultural campus, during September and October 2020. The variables analyzed were air temperature, air humidity and wind speed. Thermo-anemometer instruments were used for collecting air temperature and wind speed and the thermo-hygrometer for collecting air humidity. A total of 80 points sampled over the entire sampling area of 75 m². The collections took place on 5 non-consecutive days at 8 am, 11 am, 2 pm, 5 pm, and 8 pm. The data collected was submitted to geostatistical analysis, and the critical points of thermal discomfort were identified through kriging maps. Through the air temperature data expressed in the maps, it was identified that the temperatures are high, promoting thermal discomfort at all times except at 8 pm. The air humidity was advisable at 8 am and 11 am, but at 2 pm it was below the advisable level, and at 5 pm and 8 pm it was above the ideal level. The wind speed variable proved to be lower than recommended at all times, causing discomfort to the sheep. As for the THI, the hours of 8 am and 8 pm were not subject to heat stress, while at other times the stress was moderate. In view of the data exposed, it can be identified that the installation of the raised sheepfold did not present conditions for animal welfare for the sheep during most of the day.