Impact of Barn Orientation on Insolation and Temperature of Stalls Surface

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the effect of free-stall barn orientation relative to cardinal points on the insolation area and on the surface temperature of selected stalls in the summer period. The results of the experimental research were subjected to model analysis of the distribution of area of insolation into a barn. The studies showed that the surface of insolated stalls is heated to a temperature of 40°C, and in extreme cases up to 58°C. Taking into account the body temperature of cows (38–39°C), it can be concluded that the heat transfer from animals’ body to the environment, and thus the possibility of their cooling, were difficult. This is confirmed by observations of the behaviour of cows obtained from the video monitoring. Large differences were found in thermal conditions in the southern and northern stall areas, which in the midday hours were up to 10°C. The impact of clouds occurring during observations, included in the studies, contributed to the reduction of temperature of the stalls surface. During hot weather, short, ten-minute appearance of clouds, caused a decrease of the temperature of stalls surface by approx. 2.5°C. On this basis, it can be concluded that the use of shadings in building environment in the noon hours could limit the heating up of stalls and thus contribute to improving the living conditions of cows in barn.