Effects of low temperatures on microclimate, clinical status, and behaviour of calves under different housing systems

Mykhailo Matvieiev; Tetyana Dyman; Oleksandr V. Borshch; Andriy Getya; Oleksandr O. Borshch; Nataliia Nedashkivska; Lesia Bondarenko

doi:10.23986/afsci.179890

journal article Open Access Apr 08, 2026

Effects of low temperatures on microclimate, clinical status, and behaviour of calves under different housing systems

Mykhailo Matvieiev

Tetyana Dyman

Oleksandr V. Borshch

Andriy Getya

Oleksandr O. Borshch Nataliia Nedashkivska

Lesia Bondarenko

Agricultural and Food Science pp. 1-10 · Agricultural and Food Science

View at Publisher Save 10.23986/afsci.179890

Abstract

Objective of this study was to investigate the effects of low ambient temperatures (–14.2 °C) on microclimate, behaviour, and welfare indicators of calves housed in individual hutches located either outdoors under shelters or indoors in a lightweight prefabricated building (indoor vs. outdoor housing). Research was conducted on a dairy farm in Ukraine using Holstein calves. Air temperature in hutches located indoors was 4.8 °C higher (p < 0.001), while wind speed was 4.2 km h⁻¹ lower (p < 0.001) compared with outdoor hutch placement. Calves housed indoors had a significantly higher skin temperature (+2.7 °C; p < 0.001). Also, these calves spent more time standing (+15 min day-1; p < 0.01), moving (+7 min day-1; p < 0.001), and drinking water (+4 min day-1; p < 0.01). However, the duration of concentrate intake and the total time spent inside the individual hutches were longer in calves housed outdoors under shelters (+9 min, p < 0.05; and +17 min, respectively). Better average faecal scores were observed in calves housed outdoors (+0.04; p < 0.05).

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Published: Apr 08, 2026
Pages: 1-10
License: View

Authors

Nataliia Nedashkivska

L

Lesia Bondarenko

Cite This Article

Mykhailo Matvieiev, Tetyana Dyman, Oleksandr V. Borshch, et al. (2026). Effects of low temperatures on microclimate, clinical status, and behaviour of calves under different housing systems. Agricultural and Food Science, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.179890

Effects of low temperatures on microclimate, clinical status, and behaviour of calves under different housing systems

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