The objective of this trial was to evaluate performance, thermal comfort and behavior of crossbred Holstein x Zebu dairy calves kept in different housing systems during the rainy season (December to April). Twenty-four calves were raised from birth to 70 days of age in one of the following housing systems: hutches; shadecloth; or no shelter. Rectal temperature and respiratory rate measurements were taken twice a day (8:00 AM and 3:00 PM) when calves were 1, 4 and 9 weeks old. Respiratory rate was measured counting the number of respiratory movements per minute and rectal temperatures were taken with clinical thermometers. Behavior evaluation was done by visual observation of the animals every 10 min for a period of 24 h. There were no differences among the housing systems on body weight, average daily weight gain, starter intake and feed efficiency. Calves raised with no shelter showed increased rectal temperatures at the afternoon. It can be concluded that use of hutches might not be necessary considering that calves spent most of their time outside. Calves raised with no shelter had higher rectal temperatures and respiratory rates and were unable to maintain these variables under physiological conditions. Calves performance was satisfactory in all three housing systems evaluated.
hutches; intake; rectal temperature; respiratory rate; weight gain
