Abstract
The rearing of piglets is a demanding phase of pig production partly because of the changing temperature requirements of the piglets during rearing. Piglets need high temperatures in the resting area, especially at the beginning, while the optimal temperature is lower toward the end of rearing. To meet the changing temperature demands of the piglets and also to optimize the pen structure, one floor cooling and two heating systems were examined in this study. In two rearing compartments, four pens with 48 piglets each were equipped with a heated cover above a heated/cooled lying area. The lying behavior and performance of 1152 piglets, in addition to the pen fouling, were recorded over six rearing periods. There was no difference between the two heating systems in the lying behavior. However, the acceptance of the lying area was very high in all pens and periods with heating. The cooling had a significant influence on the lying behavior depending on the rearing week. Significantly more piglets lay on the cooled lying area compared with the control pen during the last weeks. The fouling of the pens was not affected by the cooling or heating systems; however, the fouling in all pens was very low. The tested pen structure in combination with a heating and cooling system is a well-functioning way of integrating a solid lying area.
Highlights
The rearing of piglets is a demanding phase of pig production because of their high stress levels and changing needs during these weeks
The rearing of piglets is a demanding phase of pig production partly because of the changing temperature requirements of the piglets during rearing
To meet the changing temperature demands of the piglets and to optimize the pen structure, one floor cooling and two heating systems were examined in this study
Summary
The rearing of piglets is a demanding phase of pig production because of their high stress levels and changing needs during these weeks. The piglets are exposed to massive stress directly after weaning by being separated from the sow, moving into another housing system, and changing from milk to a solid diet [1]. The optimal temperature changes for the piglets during the rearing because of the increasing age and liveweight [2]. The weaned piglets need higher temperatures, while nearing the end, the optimum temperature is lower and it could become too warm, especially in the summer. The optimal air temperature for rearing piglets between 10 and 30 kg liveweight is 20–30 ◦C [3]. Especially for resting and sleeping areas, to avoid poor performance or poor health. It is assumed that reaching the thermal comfort zone of the piglets, especially in the resting area, increases animal welfare
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
