The group postural behaviour of growing pigs in relation to air velocity, air and floor temperature

Abstract

In three experiments with 6 piglets each (3 males, 3 females), given access to a pen with 4 plates having different surface temperatures and an air-velocity gradient, the group postural behaviour was recorded and analyzed. The results indicate that temperature control of the floor surface can realize the preferred comfort zone of growing pigs, as a function of age and air temperature. In the case of a constant floor temperature which was higher than the air temperature, as a function of age the pigs preferred a lying area with an enhanced air velocity (0.3 m s −1) when the air temperature was 14–25°C. Hence, the animals' preference for a well-defined combination of air and floor temperature, as well as of air velocity, can be used as a trigger within the engineering and control system of the house environment to avoid behaviour-related problems.