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Effects of Season, Floor Type, Air Temperature and Snout Coolers on Sow and Litter Performance¹

Texas Tech University², Lubbock 79409

Abstract

An evaluation of 341 sow and litter records over a 2-yr period was made to determine the effects of floor type and season on sow and litter productivity. Floor types were plastic-coated, expanded metal (PL) or concrete (CO) slatted flooring. Litters raised on PL had lower (P<.001) mortality (10.3 ± .85 vs 15.4 ± .83%), fewer splay-legged pigs/litter (.20 ± .06 vs .48 ± .06) and heavier weaning weights (61.0 ± .8 vs 54.2 ± .8 kg) than litters on CO. Sows ate less feed in the spring (P<.05) than during other times of the year. A second study was conducted with 88 litters to determine the effects of farrowing house temperature, floor type and snout coolers (SC) on sow and litter productivity. Farrowing house air temperature were 18, 25 or 30 C, with sows on PL or CO floors and with SC either on (910 cm/s) or off. At 18 and 25 C, average daily sow feed intake was higher (6.46 ± .21, 6.13 ± .19 and 4.20 ± .19 kg) and litter weaning weights were heavier (63 ± 2.8, 61 ± 2.5 and 52 ± 2.5 kg) than at 30 C. Litter mortality at 18 and 30 C was higher (P<.05) than for litters raised at 25 C (20.4 ± 2.6, 18.8 ± 2.3 and 12.0 ± 2.3%, respectively). Litters raised on PL at 18 C were 15 ± 3.4 kg heavier at weaning than litters raised on CO (P<.05). Providing SC increased sow feed intake at all air temperature (P<.05). However, SC sows held at 30 C ate less feed (P<.05) than sows held at 18 or 25 C. Snout coolers showed little benefit for litter performance while PL flooring, especially at 18 C, was beneficial to litter performance.

¹ The authors thank Mr. Stanley Harris and Mr. Benny Carrillo for technical help and Mr. John Drezek for typing the manuscript. College of Agr. Sci. paper no. T-5-228. Research supported by state of Texas line item for efficient production of pork.

² Dept. Anim. Sci., Behav. Physiol. Lab.