Two reduced nocturnal temperature tegimens for early-weaned pigs

• Published in: Journal of animal science Vol. 69; no. 4; pp. 1379 - 1388
• Main Authors: Brumm, M.C, Shelton, D.P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 1991
• Subjects: air temperature; ambient temperature; energy consumption; feed conversion; feed intake; growth; heating costs; liveweight gain; night temperature; pens; piglets; swine housing
• ISSN: 0021-8812

Two experiments, each consisting of three trials and using 3- to 4-wk-old newly weaned pigs, were conducted to evaluate the effects of two reduced nocturnal temperature regimens on weaned pig and subsequent growing-finishing performance and nursery energy (propane and electricity) use. In Exp. 1, nursery treatments were 1) a control temperature (CT) regimen of 30 degrees C constant air temperature lowered 2 degrees C/wk and 2) a regimen for pigs in pens with hovers (MRNT-H) in which the temperature from 1900 to 0700 beginning 1 wk after weaning was lowered 6 degrees C from the 0700 to 1900 temperature setting, which was 3 degrees C lower than CT. The nursery temperature treatments in Exp. 2 were 1) CT and 2) a 10 degrees C reduction in air temperature (MRNT10) from 1900 to 0700 from CT beginning 1 wk after weaning. In addition, within each temperature, diet sequences of 1.2% lysine for 3 wk followed by 1.0% lysine vs 1.15% lysine offered continuously were evaluated. In Exp. 1, there was no effect (P > .1) of temperature on feed intake but ADG decreased (P < .001) in two of the three trials for MRNT-H vs CT and feed/gain worsened (P < .05) in all trials. In Exp. 2, there was no difference between MRNT1O and CT for ADG and feed/gain. No interaction was observed between nursery diet and temperature regimen for weaned pig performance. There was no effect (P > .1) in either experiment of nursery temperature on subsequent growing-finishing performance. Overall energy savings comparing the MRNT-H and CT treatments were 68 MJ per weaned pig. Energy savings for Exp. 2 were 79 MJ per weaned pig. Application of cyclical temperatures in a controlled manner can result in energy savings of approximately $.50 per pig weaned under the conditions of these experiments.