Environmental modification for gestating sows

Abstract

The effect of high environmental temperature on animals has been extensively studied in order to search the ideal housing and better performance both productive and reproductive. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of the evaporative cooling system associated to controlled ventilation (SRAVC) used in gestating sow's housing on their reproductive parameters response. Two systems were evaluated: SRAVC and natural ventilation (Natural). A total of 144 Dalland® sows were used during two seasons, summer and winter, resulting in 4 treatments (33 sows each) such as: the use of evaporative cooling associated to controlled ventilation during summer (SRAVC/summer), natural ventilation during summer (Natural/summer), evaporative cooling associated to controlled ventilation during winter (SRAVCwinter) and natural ventilation during winter (Natural/winter). The SRAVC system control was adjusted by thermostat, and the ventilation started when the ambient temperature reached 25ºC, and fogging at 27ºC, keeping it on for five minutes and then turning it off for the next twenty minutes. The following reproductive parameters were evaluated: number of piglets born alive (NV); mortality of embryo (MF), mortality at birth (NM), weight at birth (PN), number weaned piglet (NLD), weaned piglet's weight (PD), and piglet's weight gain (GP). The forced ventilation system decreased the embryo mortality, but the only the season influenced the final weight of weaned piglets.