ABSTRACT The choice of floor type within the animal production system is an important factor, as it is associated with a high incidence of changes in locomotion, hoof injuries and herd disposal, which has led producers to modify the type of flooring for more comfortable, durable and dry materials, such as rubber, however, the raw material makes the investment very high. Because polymeric waste is potentially recyclable and has good thermal and mechanical properties, it is feasible to develop research aimed at characterizing them in order to verify their feasibility of application as flooring for animal production installations. The present research analyzed the combination between the EVA residue and the regenerated rubber from tires, where samples were produced in 4 different concentrations: 0, 25, 50 and 75% of regenerated rubber. The samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and submitted to tensile, permanent deformation under compression, abrasion and hardness tests. The sample with 75% showed greater softness and less residual deformation, which is a positive effect due to the reduction of stiffness due to the insertion of rubber in the compounds. However, due to the incompatibility of the blends and a significant decline in the mechanical properties, the sample without regenerated rubber has a greater potential for recycling and application for which the research aimed for. It is estimated that the property improvement can be achieved with the use of a compatibilizing agent that favors the adhesion between the materials.

RESUMO A escolha do tipo de piso dentro do sistema de produção animal é um fator importante, já que está associado a grande incidência de alterações na locomoção, lesões de cascos e descarte de rebanho, o que tem levado aos produtores modificar o tipo de piso por materiais mais confortáveis, duráveis e secos, como é o caso dos emborrachado, no entanto, a matéria-prima torna o investimento muito alto. Devido os resíduos poliméricos serem potencialmente recicláveis, apresentar boas propriedades térmicas e mecânicas, torna-se viável o desenvolvimento de pesquisas que visem caracteriza-los de modo a verificar sua viabilidade de aplicação como piso para instalação de produção animal. A presente pesquisa analisou a combinação entre o resíduo de EVA e a borracha regenerada oriunda de pneus, onde foram produzidas amostras em 4 diferentes concentrações: 0, 25, 50 e 75% de borracha regenerada. As amostras foram analisadas através da microscopia eletrônica de varredura e submetida a testes de tração, deformação permanente à compressão, abrasão e dureza. A amostra com 75% apresentou maior maciez e menor deformação residual, sendo este um efeito positivo devido a redução da rigidez devido a inserção de borracha aos compostos, no entanto, devido a incompatibilidade das blendas e declínio significativo das propriedades mecânicas analisadas, a amostra sem borracha regenerada apresenta melhor potencial de reciclagem e de aplicação a qual a pesquisa a destina. Estima-se que a melhoria de propriedade pode ser alcançada com uso de agente compatibilizante que favoreça a adesão entre os materiais.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performance, egg quality and the morphometry of the organs of Japanese quails (Cotournix cotournix japônica) when kept in comfort and under thermal stress. 192 nine-week-old quail were used, distributed in a completely randomized design at two temperatures (T1 = 24 °C and T2 = 32 °C), with 12 replicates of eight birds each, with an experimental period of 63 days, divided into three 21-day periods. Feed intake (g fowl-1 day-1), water consumption (mL fowl-1 day-1), egg production (%), egg weight (g), egg mass (g fowl- 1 day-1) and feed conversion (kg kg-1 and kg dozen-1). Laying quails after their production cycle are marketed as beef animals. It is observed that the average final live weight was reduced (P = 0.0362) by 27.58 g in birds kept at a temperature of 32 oC, which can compromise its commercial value. The feed intake of the birds was reduced (P = 0.0051) by 14.75% with an increase in ambient temperature. Birds kept at a temperature of 32 oC for 12 h daily showed a reduction in feed intake, final weight, yolk, and gizzard weight, but without affecting egg production, weight and mass.

ABSTRACT Based on the temperature and humidity index, for quails from the 3rd to the 5th week of life, in the dry period in Paraíba state, Brazil, the objective was to carry out a bioclimatic zoning, identifying as regions suitable for the reproduction of quails and, when necessary, mitigating measures for greater animal comfort. The bioclimatic zoning was carried out for the mesoregions of the state, the climatic data used are from meteorological stations in the period from 1961 - 2015, from them maps were elaborated with the spatial distribution of the index, identifying as regions with ideal thermal comfort conditions for the animals. For quails in the third week, the Agreste mesoregion presents the best situation in the dry season, not requiring corrective measures to maintain the comfort of these animals. In the fourth week of life of the quails, the mesoregions that would provide THI values within the ZCT in the dry period would be the Zona da Mata paraibana and Sertão, while the ZCT for quails in the fifth week of life, could be found throughout the state of Paraíba.

ABSTRACT. This study aimed to carry out bioclimatic zoning based on the historical series of climatic variables such as air temperature, maximum, minimum and relative humidity collected in six conventional meteorological stations in the state of Paraíba, Brazil and from this to determine whether or not the animals are in thermal comfort by comparing with the results obtained in scientific research in each mesoregion in the rainy and dry periods. Then based on this the comfort conditions for small ruminants in the rainy and dry seasons of the mesoregions of Paraíba were observed using data from the literature, and demonstrated in spatial distribution maps. The variables air temperatures, maximum and minimum and relative humidity varied throughout the state for the rainy season between 22 to 27, 18 to 21, 25 to 31ºC and 64 to 82%, respectively, and in dry season is 23 to 27, 28 to 35, 19 to 23ºC and 49 to 76%, respectively. However, it is concluded that raising sheep and goats is viable in all mesoregions of the state of Paraíba in both periods.

Nos últimos anos, o crescimento da agricultura brasileira tem forçado vários setores a se adequarem aos padrões produtivos com o intuito de se manterem competitivos, frente ao processo de globalização econômica. Nesse contexto, as fábricas de ração avícola tendem a buscar novas alternativas que favoreçam a produção e reduzam custos sem afetar a qualidade do produto final. Entre essas alternativas, destaca-se o uso de silos verticais por facilitar o processo de confecção das rações e eliminar os grandes depósitos horizontais. Diante dessa possibilidade, objetivou-se, com a presente pesquisa, estudar as tensões nas paredes em conformação ziguezague de um silo metálico prismático 2m x 1m e comparar os resultados obtidos com teorias e normas. Para o cálculo das tensões, utilizaram-se os métodos simplificados de Ravenet e Troitsky. Para a obtenção dos esforços reais nas paredes, utilizaram-se extensômetros elétricos. Dessa forma, conclui-se que, tanto a teoria de Ravenet quanto de Troistky, podem ser recomendadas para o dimensionamento de silos prismáticos por apresentarem boa aproximação com valores experimentais.

Recently Brazil has undergone agricultural growth that has forced several sectors to adjust their business structure to maintain competitiveness within the process of economic globalization. In this context, the poultry production has focused on new alternatives to increase productivity and reduce costs without affecting the quality of the final product. Among these alternatives, the use of vertical silos due to their capacity and ease of accurate feed ingredient rationing and eliminate large horizontal warehouses. The present research has focused on the stresses in rectangular, hopper bottom bins with a unique zigzag corrugation. The model bin was 2m x 1m with a hopper and the stresses obtained were compared to theories and standards. The stresses were estimated using Ravenet and Troitsky's simplified methods and compared to the experimental results. Strain gauges were used to obtain data on the stress within the bin walls. One concluded that either Ravenet or Troitsky's theory may be recommended for the design of rectangular silos since they provide a high level of accuracy compared to experimental values.

O conhecimento das propriedades físicas e de fluxo dos produtos é de extrema importância no que se refere ao seu manuseio e processamento. Com a correta aplicação desses conhecimentos, é possível dimensionar de forma racional os sistemas de transporte e armazenagem utilizados, prevendo, assim, o tipo de fluxo ideal para cada operação. Este trabalho teve como objetivo determinar as propriedades físicas e de fluxo de três diferentes rações avícolas e avaliar suas influências nas características geométricas de tremonhas. Na obtenção dos dados, foi utilizado o aparelho de cisalhamento direto de translação (célula de cisalhamento de Jenike) e duas superfícies de parede: aço liso e rugoso. Para determinar o índice de fluxo (ff c) e o diâmetro mínimo do orifício de descarga (D), adotou-se a metodologia de Jenike enquanto que para o ângulo mínimo de inclinação da tremonha cônica, utilizou-se a metodologia de Enstad. Com base nos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que as Rações A e B foram classificadas como produtos coesivos enquanto que a Ração C apresentou os menores ângulos de inclinação da tremonha e maiores diâmetros de orifício de descarga.

The knowledge about the physical and flow properties of industrial powders is very important to their handling and processing. With the right application of this information, it's possible to design conveyors and storage systems to predict the ideal kind of flow for each operation. This work had the objective to determinate the physical and flow properties of different kinds of poultry rations and to evaluate their influences on geometric characteristics of hoppers. For that, it was used the direct shear apparatus based on Jenike shear cell and two friction surfaces: smooth and rough steel walls. To determinate the index flow (ff c) and minimum hopper opening diameter (D), was used the Jenike's methodology. For the minimum conical hopper angle, was used the mathematical method advised by British Standard BMHB. With the basis on obtained results, it's possible to affirm that A and B poultry rations were classified as cohesive flow while the B poultry ration had the minors conical hopper angle and the higher hopper opening diameter.