Effect of stocking rate and floor types on performance, skin temperature and leucogram in pigs raising

Efecto de la carga animal y el tipo de piso sobre el rendimiento, la temperatura de la piel y leucograma en la cría de cerdos

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance, thermoregulatory characteristics and the leucogram of growing finishing pigs reared in different stocking rates kept on compact floor pens or with shallow pool pens. Material and methods. Thirty-six pigs were used in two steps (total of 72 animals were used). In the first step it was analysed performance pig (daily feed intake, weight gain and feed: gain ratio) and backfat thickness (P2). In the second step, the same analyzes were repeated, in addition, analysis of leucogram and skin temperature was performad in P2 and anal region, at the end of growing and finishing phase. Results. It was evaluated for differences between treatments and stocking. It was not found effect of floor type on growing phase, but the use of shallow pool had a negative effect on the gain and feed: gain ration in the finishing phase. Increasing linear effect on backfat thickness as the stocking rate was reduced, as well as lower surface temperature in the anal region on treatment with shallow pool in the finishing phase. No effect of treatments and type of floor on leucogram pigs. Allowing more space/animal decreased backfat thickness. The use of shallow pool affected negatively the performance in the finishing phase. Conclusions. The shallow pool uses impair the finishing pig performance, despite improving thermolysis, with no effect observed on cell immune response.

1. Moreira I, Paiano D, Oliveira GC, Gonçalves GS, Neves CA, Barbosa OR. Desempenho e características de carcaça de suínos (33-84 kg) criados em baias de piso compacto ou com lâmina d’água. Rev Bras Zoot 2003; 32(1):132-139.
2. Renaudeau D, Gourdine JL, St-Pierre NR. A meta-analysis of the effects of high ambient temperature on growth performance of growing-finishing pigs. J Anim Sci 2011; 89(7): 2220-2230.
3. Huynh TT, Aarnink A, Verstegen MW, Gerrits WJ, Heetkamp MJ, Kemp B, Canh TT. Effects of increasing temperatures on physiological changes in pigs at different relative humidities. J Anim Sci 2005; 83(6):1385-1396.
4. Campos PHRF, Noblet J, Jaguelin-Peyraud Y, Gilbert H, Mormède P, Donzele RFMO, Donzele JL, Renaudeau D. Thermoregulatory responses during thermal acclimation in pigs divergently selected for residual feed intake. Int J Biometeorol 2014; 58(7):1545–1557.
5. Paiano D, Barbosa OR, Moreira I, Quadros ARB, Silva MAA, Oliveira CAL. Comportamento de suínos alojados em baias de piso parcialmente ripado ou com lâmina d’água. Acta Sci Anim Sci 2007;29(3) 345-351.
6. Silva RG. Biofísica Ambiental: Os animais e seu ambiente. Jaboticabal, Brasil: FUNEP; 2008.
7. Le Floc’h N, Melchiora D, Obled C. Modifications of protein and amino acid metabolism during inflammation and immune system activation. Livest Prod Sci 2004; 87(1):37-45.
8. Jianwen LI, Daiwen C, Keying Z, Dingbiao L. The effects of immune stress on ideal amino acid pattern for piglets. Front Agric China 2007; 1(2):210-213.
9. Biazzi JM, Paiano D, Nunes MLA, Fachinello M, Teles PFS. Behaviors, thermoregulatory, and operational aspects of shallow pool pens used in gilt production. Semin-Cienc Agrar 2014; 35(6):3439-3448.
10. Barcellos DESN, Borowski SM, Gheller NB, Santi M, Mores TJ. Relação entre ambiente, manejo e doenças respiratórias em suínos. Acta Sci Vet 2008; 36(1):87-93.
11. Bracke MBM. Review of wallowing in pigs: Description of the behaviour and its motivational basis. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2011; 132(1-2):1-13.
12. Palhares JCP, Calijuri MC. Caracterização dos afluentes e efluentes suinícolas em sistemas de crescimento/terminação e qualificação de seu impacto ambiental. Cienc Rural 2007; 37(2):502-509.
13. Feldman BV, Zinkl JG, Jain NC. Schalm’s Veterinary Hematology 5th ed. Philadelphia, U.S.A: Blackwell Publishing Limited, Oxford; 2000.
14. Kich JD, Mores N, Vidal CES, Piffer IA, Barioni Junior W, Amaral AL, Ramminger L, Cardoso MI. Fatores de Risco Associados com a Prevalência Sorológica de Salmonela em Granjas Comerciais de Suínos do Sul do Brasil, CT. 309. Concórdia, Brasil: CNPSA EMBRAPA; 2002.
15. CJB, Carvalho LFOS, Domingues JRFJ, Menezes CCP, Fernandes SA, Tavechio AT. Dunging gutters filled with fresh water in finishing barns had no effect on the prevalence of Salmonella enterica on Brazilian swine farms. Prev Vet Med 2002; 55(3):173-173.
16. National Research Council -NRC. Nutrient Requirements of Swine. 11th ed. Washington DC, USA: National Academy Press. NRC;2012.
17. Lunen V. Effect of rearing weaner pigs at three stocking densities on raised decks or solid flooring. Can J Anim Sci 1983; 63(3):731-734.
18. Berton MR, Dourado RC, Lima FBF, Rodrigues ABB, Ferrari FB, Vieira LDC, Souza PA, Borba H. Growing-finishing performance and carcass yield of pigs reared in a climate-controlled and uncontrolled environment. Int J Biometeorol 2015; 59(8): 955–960.
19. Andersen HML, Jørgensen E, Dybkjær L, Jørgensen B. The ear skin temperature as an indicator of the thermal comfort of pigs. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2008; 113(1-3):43-56.