Effect of infrared temperature on thermoregulatory behaviour in suckling piglets
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2009 |
Authors: |
G. Vasdal, E. F. Wheeler, K. E. Bøe |
Publication/Journal: |
animal |
Keywords: |
huddling, infrared temperature, suckling piglets, swine, thermoregulatory behaviour |
ISBN: |
1751-7311 1751-732X |
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of infrared (IR) temperature on thermoregulatory behaviour in suckling piglets in the first 3 weeks after farrowing. A total of 10 piglets from each of the 16 litters were exposed to recommended IR temperature conditions at 1, 2 and 3 weeks of age, with a mild offset (48C) in IR temperature during the first experiment and a more challenging offset (88C) during the second experiment. Digital photos were taken when all piglets had settled in the creep area, and the lying posture and huddling behaviour were analysed. A lying posture score and a huddling score was calculated by multiplying the number of piglets in each category with a given value for each category, based on different lying postures and different degrees of huddling behaviour. With a 48C change in IR temperature, the piglets tended to alter their lying posture, while an 88C change had a significant effect on lying posture (P,0.01). A change in IR temperature of 48C had no effect on the degree of huddling. The huddling score decreased significantly with 88C change in IR temperature (P,0.05). Postural changes, rather than changes in degree of huddling were the preferred thermoregulatory strategy for suckling piglets.