Score | a). Natural light | b). Artificial light | c). Side openings | d). Draughts | e). Condensation | f). Noise | g). Grazing time (days per year) |
|---|
3 | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | > 270 |
2.5 | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | > 230 |
2 | Open fronted | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | > 180 |
1.5 | Very light | Very light | Â | Â | Â | Â | > 120 |
1 | Light | Light | Â | None | Â | No noise | > 50 |
0.5 | Medium | Medium | Yes | Sometimes | Good | Moderate | Â |
0 | Dark | Dark | No | Often | Ok | Noisy | Â |
-0.5 | Very dark | Very dark | Â | Always | Bad | Intense | Â |
- a). Open fronted animal houses were considered as optimal conditions for light. The percentage of window area with light directed to the animals compared with the total floor surface was measured. Very dark: 0% (no natural light), very light 15%. b). If no artificial light was present, the score assigned was -0.5. In case of neons or compact fluorescent lights (CFL's), if less than one light per 5m2 was present the score assigned was 0. If 1 to 1.5 lights per 5 m2 were present, the score assigned was 0.5; 1 was assigned if between 1.6 to 2 lights per m2 were present and 1.5 was assigned if more than 2 lights per 5 m2 were present. In case of halogen lights, 0 was assigned of there was less than one lamp per 15m2, 0.5 if there was between 1 and 1.5 lamp per 15 m2, 1 if there was between 1.6 to 2 lamps per 15 m2 and 1.5 if there was more than 2 lamps per m2. c). Represents the presence or absence of side openings. d). Draughts were considered when air flow was greater than 0.2 m/s. e). Air humidity was assessed subjectively with the forearms: if no humidity was felt the maximum score was assigned, if humidity could be clearly felt the minimum score was assigned. f) Noise of the fans and ventilation systems were assessed subjectively, the maximum score was assigned if no ventilation system was present. If a ventilation system was present and the noise started to be irritating for the ear, the minimum score was assigned. The total environment score (column 1) equals to the sum of columns a). b). c). d). e). f). and g).
