INFLUENCE OF THE JET COOL FORCED EVAPORATIVE AIR COOLING SYSTEM ON THE PARAMETERS OF THE MICROCLIMATE OF THE ROOMS, THERMAL STRESS AND PRODUCTIVITY OF SOWS AND PIGLETS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37000/abbsl.2025.116.16Keywords:
well-being, evaporation panels, reproductive traits, microclimate, piglet, productivity, growth, sow, thermal comfort, technology, maintenance.Abstract
The study aimed to determine the impact of a pad cooling system on the microclimate in the sow and suckling piglet housing, as well as their physiological state and well-being. The effect of the system on temperature, humidity, air velocity, heat stress, sow milk production, growth, and survival of the offspring was assessed. It was found that using a pad cooling system significantly affected the microclimate, sow physiological state, and suckling piglet production. In the control room, the air temperature at the sow’s respiratory tract level was 28.7 °C, which exceeded the standard values (19–24 °C). In the experimental room with pad cooling, the temperature decreased to 22.4 °C, i.e., by 6.3 °C or 21.9%, which fully met thermal comfort requirements. In the piglet holding area, the temperature decreased by 2.3 °C (7.3%), providing optimal conditions for the growth of the young. The air velocity was also stabilized: at the sow's respiratory tract level, it decreased by 0.08 m/s (22.2%), at the level of the piglets, by 0.09 m/s (34.6%). This allowed avoiding drafts and excessive cooling of the animals, especially sensitive piglets. The air humidity increased from 52.7–53.4% in the control to 65.9–66.1% in the experiment, bringing the conditions closer to the optimal 40–70%. The decrease in the thermal and humidity index (THI) from 77.16 to 69.59 points (-9.8%) had a positive effect on the physiological condition of the sows: skin temperature decreased by 0.3 °C, respiratory rate decreased by 26.3 movements per minute (38.4%), and body weight loss during lactation decreased by 23 kg or 81.6% in natural units (from 28.2 to 5.2 kg). Improved appetite and microclimate increased feed consumption per sow during lactation by 27.73 kg (15.3%). The average daily feed consumption increased by 1.06 kg (16.2%), while the piglets' need for pre-starter feed decreased by 22%. The milk production of sows increased: the average daily milk yield increased by 11.4%, the total for lactation by 10.5%, milk per weaned piglet increased by 10.2%, and milk consumption per 1 kg of piglet growth remained stable. Thanks to the optimal microclimate, the proportion of stillborn piglets decreased by 12.6%, the number of weaned piglets per sow increased by 2.6%, and the survival rate of the litter increased by 1.22%. The weight of one piglet at weaning increased by 0.61 kg (10.2%), and the weight of the entire litter by 10.7 kg (13.1%). The absolute gain of one piglet during lactation increased by 0.7 kg (7.0%), the average daily gain by 7.7–18%, and the complex indices of reproductive qualities of sows (IVYA, SIVIAS, SZFTV) increased by 2–5%.
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