The objective of this study was to evaluate exposure periods of animals to acclimatization in corral on comfort indices, physiological variables and milk production of ‘Girolando’ cows, during the winter in the semiarid of Pernambuco. Sixteen ‘Girolando’ cows were used with genetic composition of 7/8 Holstein-Gir, divided in four groups, subjected to three acclimatization periods of 10, 20, 30 min and control (no acclimatization), adopting a 4 x 4 Latin square design. In order to determine acclimatization thermal efficiency, the variables temperature and relative humidity of air, respiratory frequency, haircoat temperature, retal temperature and milk production, for both milking periods (morning and afternoon) were observed. Acclimatization for 10, 20 and 30 min were efficient in dropping air temperature during the afternoon, with a decrease around 1.4, 2.3 and 2.7 ºC, when compared to control, respectively. Corral acclimatization promoted thermal comfort maintenance of dairy cattle in the winter in the semiarid region of Pernambuco, though there was no definite effect on physiological, behavior, production and milk composition responses, which were not altered under the adiabatic evaporative cooling.
animal environment; thermal comfort; dairy cattle
