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ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to analyze the differences between the food behaviors observed under the factors of production environment, sex and lighting system, using stochastic tools of multivariate analysis. As for the thermal characteristics of the environment, air temperature (T, °C), enthalpy (H, kJ kg-1), and black globe temperature and humidity index (BGTHI) showed high positive correlation with each other and strong negative correlation with relative humidity (RH, %). The “male drinking” behavior was positively associated with thermal characteristics of the environment in the three periods of the day, that is, the act of drinking more water would be a way to alleviate thermal stress. Birds subjected to red LED showed a strong negative correlation with temperature associated with the “female drinking” behavior, in the afternoon period, according to the principal component analysis, which is justified by the orientation of the broiler house with its longitudinal axis in the NE/SW direction, so the sunlight directly hits the area where the drinker was located. Variation in body weight showed better response when the birds were exposed to a temperature of 27 °C, for the 5th week of the rearing cycle.

ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to evaluate the thermal efficiency of roofs used on individual shelters during milk-feeding stage of Girolando calves. The research was conducted at a farm located in a dry region of Pernambuco state, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized, with 27 Holstein × Gir dairy crossbred calves housed in shelters with three roofing materials (fibre cement tile, recycled tile, and thatched roofs). The recycled tiles and thatched roofs provided reductions of 18.7 and 14.6% in radiant thermal load, respectively. Regardless the roofing material, all animals increased their respiratory rate to maintain thermal equilibrium.

RESUMO Este estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de caracterizar a tipologia das instalações para produção de frangos de corte na região Agreste do Estado de Pernambuco, por meio de levantamento das características construtivas de aviários existentes na região. Foram avaliados 68 galpões, em 27 granjas, no período de maio de 2012 a abril de 2013. Com base nos resultados obtidos, 90% das instalações apresentaram orientação leste - oeste, com pequeno afastamento entre galpões (< 30 m). A maioria dos galpões apresentou cobertura com telhas cerâmicas (93%), ausência de forro (93%) e lanternim (100%), pé-direito abaixo do recomendado (90%), beirais menores que 1,25 m (93%) e muretas com altura superior a 0,2 m (40%). Quanto aos equipamentos, observou-se que a principal fonte de aquecimento foi por campânulas à lenha (71%), comedouros e bebedouros automatizados (46 e 35%) e pendulares (54 e 65%). Aproximadamente, 67% dos galpões possuíam ventiladores e 58% destes estavam associados à nebulização. O levantamento permitiu caracterizar o perfil das instalações e suas necessidades de adequação para a melhoria da condição de alojamento das aves na região.