Beat the Heat - Reducing heat stress through floor cooling
Effects on the indoor environment, hygiene and behaviour in a commercial growing-finishing pig barn.
Heat is an increasing challenge in pig production. Pigs produce substantial amounts of body heat and have limited possibilities to dissipate excess heat. Genetic selection for rapid growth and lean meat production increase the pigs’ susceptibility to a warmer climate. Periods of high temperatures can therefore negatively affect pig welfare, health and productivity
Cecilia Hagberg has investigated floor cooling as a measure to reduce heat load in growing–finishing pig barn during warm conditions. Focus was placed on how floor cooling affected the indoor environment, pen and pig hygiene, and pigs’ behaviour. The studies were conducted under commercial production conditions during two warm periods in a temperate climate.
Floor cooling was implemented by connecting a cooling unit to an existing water-based floor heating system. Cooling the lying area reduced the surface temperature of the lying and dunging area, and the ambient temperature. In addition, ammonia and carbon dioxide concentrations were reduced, and both pen and pig hygiene improved.
Floor cooling also influenced pigs’ use of the pen, with a greater proportion of pigs present on the lying area and fewer pigs present on the dunging area. Regarding lying behaviour, more pigs lay on the designated lying area than on the dunging area. Floor cooling also affected lying posture, with more pigs lying fully stretched out on their side and fewer lying in a more upright position. Standing and sitting behaviour occurred less frequently and were affected to a more limited extent.
Overall, the thesis demonstrates that floor cooling can provide pigs with an opportunity to regulate their body temperature by offering a cooler surface for resting during warm conditions. The results also show that cooling the lying area can have effects beyond the immediate animal–floor interface, including improvements in the indoor environment and hygiene. Floor cooling may therefore be a useful component of an integrated strategy for reducing heat load in commercial growing–finishing pig production during warm conditions. The study also demonstrates that floor cooling can be implemented using an existing water-based floor heating system, providing a practical option for adapting existing growing-finishing pig barns without modifying the house construction.
Cecilia Hagberg defends her licentiate thesis on Friday October 23 at 09.15
Read the thesis