Physiological evaluation of heat stress in gestating sows under different housing systems in bedding and concrete floor

Engenharia Agrícola

Irineu Arcaro Júnior¹  Afrânio M. C. Vieira²  João M. B. A. de Faria³  Késia O. da S. Miranda⁴  Maria L. A. Nunes⁵ 

[1] Instituto de Zootecnia;Universidade Federal de São Carlos;Universidade de Brasília;Universidade de São Paulo;Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina;

关键词: Swine;    thermal regulation;    zootechnical installations;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0100-69162014000100001

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The purpose of this paper was to observe the use of bedding (wood shavings) in physiological variables that indicate thermal stress in gestating sows. The experiment was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of two types of floor (concrete and wood shavings). Worse microclimatic conditions were observed in bedding systems (P<0.05), with an increase in temperature and enthalpy of 1.14 ºC and 2.37 kJ.kg dry air-1, respectively. The floor temperature at the dirty area was higher in the bedding presence in comparison to its absence. In spite of the worse microclimatic conditions in the bedding, the rectal temperature did not differ significantly (P>0.05) but the skin surface temperature was higher in the bedding systems. The same occurred with the respiratory rates. The physical characteristics of the floor material influenced the rate of heat loss by conductance. Estimated values were 35.04 and 7.99 W m-2 for the conductive heat loss between the animal and floor for treatments with or without bedding, respectively. The use of bedding in sow rearing has a negative impact on microclimatic conditions, what implies in thermoregulatory damages.

【 授权许可】

Unknown