Abstract
Two experiments were conducted to determine modifications in eating behavior of heat-stressed pigs using gilts and barrows. Heat-stressed pigs were maintained at environmental temperatures that caused voluntary 13% and 26% reductions in daily feed consumption compared to control temperature pigs of the same weight. For control temperature pigs, there was a 50% reduction in number of meals and a threefold increase in meal size as animals grew from 40 to 100 kg. The number of daily meals and rate of eating (g/min) for heat-stressed pigs were remarkably similar to control pigs of the same age. However, for heat-stress treatments, the duration of meals was substantially reduced which apparently was the primary method of behaviorally adjusting to heat stress. Heat stress reduced liver, heart, stomach, and large intestine weights, and tended to reduce backfat thickness indicating that pigs under heat stress had reduced maintenance requirements. Heat stress did not affect feed conversion, but substantially reduced rate of gain.
Published Version
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