The objective of this project was to find correlations between environmental variables of an installation used for raising frogs and the performance of the Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana). Each installation included a shed built with alternative materials covered by a polyethylene structure. Floor, air (dry bulb), wet bulb, black globe and swimming water temperatures were measured inside the sheds. Sixty bullfrogs were raised in each shed with three sheds in each structure. The performance variables studied, included live weight, weight gain and food conversion. A decrease in food consumption was observed each time air temperatures fell below 10 ºC or went above 40 ºC. It was concluded that the main stress factor in this kind of structure and these climatic conditions during the experimental period was due to low temperatures. It was also concluded that the use of the Temperature and Humidity Index (THI) in estimating performance variables improved estimation accuracy when compared with the exclusive use of air temperatures although index values considered to be stressful for higher species were not for the frogs.
animal environment; animal shelter; bioclimatic indexes
