Effects of different heating systems on the performance of suckling piglets

Abstract

This work compile five research traits (2 winter, 2 spring and 1 autum) that were carried out in order to evaluate the effect of the three heating systems on the performance of piglets during suckling period (56 days), and the termic response of each system. Thirty-nine litters were used, housed in half-open side single farrowing building. The heating systems applied were: S1=infrated bulb (0-28d) and 100W light bulb with ceiling (29-56d), S2=150W ligthbulb with ceiling (0-28d) and ceiling without heating (29-56d), and S3=wooden nest for the entire period. The S1 was used in all the traits, S2 in the two first (E1,E2) and S3 in the others (E3,E4,E5). There were evaluated in three periods: initial (0-28d), final (29-56d), and total (0-56d). The averages observed for the five traits were: maximal nest temperature (MT)=25.1°C; mini-mal nest temperature (mT)=17.9°C; weigth gain (WG)=11.7 kg; Feed:gain (FC)=0.61; piglets weaned=7.33; mortality=21.4%; diarrhoea=5.2%; weaning weight=13.2%, litter weaning wigth=90.4 kg y; feed intake=7.22 kg. Statistical difference were registered in: for all the traits, but no for E2 initial period, S1 had greater MT and mT than the others systems (P<.01); in the E2 initial period S2>S1 (P<.01); in the E2, S2 had greater WG than S1 (P=.099); in the E5 S3 had greater WG than S1 (P=.083); and in E3 S3 had better FC than S1 (P=.088). It can be concluded that it is possible to use ligth bulbs or wooden nest in place of infrared bulb to protect piglets against cold temperatures during the suckling period.