Effects of greenhouse roofs on thermal comfort, behaviour, health, and finishing performance of commercial Zebu steers in cold-arid environments

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the effects of two housing systems (thermal plastic greenhouse roofs -PGR- vs without roof-PWR) on health, welfare and finishing performance of Zebu steers in cold-arid environments. A total of 880 animals were included in the study, these were divided in two independent studies. For the first study, 260 steers were used (effect on steers welfare) and 620 steers for the second study (effect on steers performance). Steers in the PWR treatment showed a trend of standing during 12:00 to 14:59 h, which was considered the hottest period of the day and the steers that were standing showed a trend for feed intake. On the other hand, the steers in the PGR treatment showed a trend of lying down (P + 46.4 kg), then steers in PWR treatment (569.0 + 31.6 kg). The steers in PWR showed higher feed intake (P