Pilot-Scale Assessment of a Novel Farrowing Creep Area Supplementary Heat Source

Abstract

Simple SummaryPre-weaning mortality (PWM) causes major economic and productivity losses for the US swine industry. This pilot-scale study evaluated a novel semi-enclosed heated microclimate (SEHM) as a supplementary heat source for farrowing creep areas. Six farrowing cycles (from January to July 2019) were studied in two rooms with 24 farrowing stalls per room. Six SEHMs (each SEHM covers two stalls) were randomly distributed in each room and compared to heat lamps (HLs) for productivity and electricity usage. Data were collected on 113 (SEHM) and 101 litters (HL), and there was no statistically significant difference for average daily gain and weaning weight. There was a tendency for significance of PWM (p = 0.08). A significant difference (p = 0.02) was noted in the PWM attributed to over-lay mortalities, SEHM = 4.05% (± 0.76%) compared to HL = 6.04% (± 0.78%). The SEHM averaged 3.25 kWh d−1 (2.91, 3.59 kWh d−1; 95% CI), which was significantly different (p < 0.01) from the HL equivalent with 125 W bulbs (6 kWh d−1). Based on only electrical savings, payback was estimated at 74 farrowing cycles, or at 12 cycles y−1, 6.1 years. The SEHM demonstrated promising pilot-scale results for increasing productivity and decreasing electricity usage compared to conventional HLs.AbstractPre-weaning morality (PWM) is attributed to a poor creep area microclimate and causes major economic and productivity losses for the US swine industry. Piglets need supplementary heat to overcome a high surface area to body weight ratio and minimal thermoregulation. A pilot-scale study was conducted to evaluate a semi-enclosed heated microclimate (SEHM) as a supplementary heat source for farrowing creep areas over six farrowing cycles (from January to July 2019) in two rooms with 24 farrowing stalls in each room. Six SEHMs (each SEHM covers two stalls) were randomly distributed to each room and compared to heat lamps (HLs) for productivity and electricity usage. Data from 113 (SEHM) and 101 litters (HL) showed no significant difference between treatments in average daily gain (p = 0.26), 252.4 ± 8.0 g hd−1 d−1 (SEHM) and 260.3 ± 8.1 g hd−1 d−1 (HL) and PWM (p = 0.08), 9.67% ± 0.82% (SEHM) and 12.04% ± 0.87% (HL). However, a significant difference (p = 0.02) was noted in the PWM attributed to over-lay mortalities, 4.05% ± 0.76% (SEHM) compared to 6.04% ± 0.78% (HL). The SEHM electricity averaged 3.25 kWh d−1 (2.91, 3.59 kWh d−1; 95% CI), which was significantly different (p < 0.01) from the HL equivalent (125 W bulb; 6 kWh d−1).

Dimensions of the Suckling Pig

“…The change of piglet dimensions could play a role in prewean mortality as the supplemental heat sources provided to meet the piglet's thermal needs to not increase in physical area over the lactation cycle. It is common that the largest area coverage will be at the time of birth (Smith et al, 2019). The most common supplemental heat source in industry is the heat lamp which also presents a unique challenge that the heat distribution on a rubber mat is not even like heat mats or semi-enclosed heated microclimates (Davis et al, 2008;Stinn and Xin, 2014;Smith et al, 2019).…”

“…It is common that the largest area coverage will be at the time of birth (Smith et al, 2019). The most common supplemental heat source in industry is the heat lamp which also presents a unique challenge that the heat distribution on a rubber mat is not even like heat mats or semi-enclosed heated microclimates (Davis et al, 2008;Stinn and Xin, 2014;Smith et al, 2019).…”

Modeling and Assessing Heat Transfer of Piglet Microclimates

“…This resulting difference in EETcp between the HL and SEHM offers a unique insight into field study results with the SEHM. It was shown in a commercial study that the SEHM significantly reduced the occurrence of over-lay mortalities [6], which most commonly occur during the first few days following farrowing, therefore suggesting that the warmer environment is a contributing factor. As EETcp and the model assumes a single piglet in good health, incorporation of other parameters that describe commercial production settings, including multiple piglets and varying health and body conditions, will help refine an ideal thermal environment index for piglets.…”

“…Heat lamp temperature management followed industry standard practices [1]. The SEHM temperature was controlled with an integrated control unit on board using a temperature curve previously used in research with the units [6]. The animal procedures are outlined in [35] and the animal use protocol for this study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC #20-084).…”

“…A localized microclimate via supplemental heat sources is provided in the farrowing stall creep area to achieve the warmer needs of the piglets. The swine industry uses several different supplemental heat sources including heat lamps (infrared bulb ranging from 125 to 250 W), heat mats (electric heaters encapsulated in plastic), semi-enclosed heated microclimates (parabolic shield with an infrared heat source for two creep areas), and brooders (totally enclosed area with a heat lamp) [1, [5][6][7]. This cost-effective approach (both capital cost and energy usage) is capable of meeting both the thermal needs of sows and piglets; however, the diversity in macro-and micro-climates results in variable thermal conditions for the piglets, which could result in reduced piglet growth and increased prewean mortality (PWM) rates [2,8].…”