Thermal environment in growing and finishing pig facilities of different building typologies

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the thermal comfort of growing and finishing pigs affected by the different constructive typologies of the installations regarding the floor and lateral partitions. Were evaluated the following pen types: pen with water pit, pen with partially slotted floor on the sides, and pen with partially slotted floor on the sides and in the center of the facilities. The following thermal variables were measured: dry bulb temperature, black globe temperature, relative humidity, and air velocity. Based on these data, the temperature and humidity index, the temperature index of the globe and humidity, and the specific enthalpy were calculated. The pen with a water pit showed higher average relative air humidity and lower black globe temperature compared to the other pens. In the hottest period of the day, the temperature index of the globe and humidity presented mean values above that recommended for adult pigs, although there were no differences between pens. This indicates that animals, irrespective of the type of pen used, have suffered from thermal stress, which most likely affected their performance.

Welfare and spatial distribution of noise levels in swine nursery

“…(1) Table 1. Values of dry-bulb temperature (T db , °C), relative humidity (RH, %) and black globe humidity index (BGHI), in creep and bay for swines with different heating systems during the morning and afternoon periods It was observed that in all tested systems, the RH averaged between 60 and 80% higher than the comfort range for swines, as stated by Cecchin et al (2017), especially in the morning. The sow's ability to dissipate heat can be reduced by high values of T db associated with high RH, since saturated air compromises the latent heat loss by the respiratory system, providing a more stressful environment.…”

Assessment of spatial variability of environmental conditions in different swine production typologies in tropical conditions

“…The construction typology in a pig farm can condition its thermal environment, as several studies have shown (Machado et al 2016;Cecchin et al 2017). The type of floor, the sewer conduction system, the lateral structure, and the ventilation on the roof (like others), can condition the thermal environment, which can be assessed through some indexes.…”