Piglets’ Surface Temperature Change at Different Weights at Birth

Abstract

The study was carried out in order to verify the effects of piglets’ weight at birth on their surface temperature change (ST) after birth, and its relationship with ingestion time of colostrum. Piglets from four different sows were weighed at birth and divided into a totally randomized design with three treatments according to birth weight (PBW): T1 - less than 1.00 kg, T2 - 1.00 to 1.39 kg, and T3 - higher than or equal to 1.40 kg. The time spent for the first colostrum ingestion was recorded (TFS). Images of piglets’ surface by thermal imaging camera were recorded at birth (STB) and 15, 30, 45, 60, and 120 min after birth. The air temperature and relative humidity were recorded every 30 min and the indexes of temperature and humidity (THI) were calculated. A ST drop after 15 min from birth was observed, increasing again after sixty minutes. Positive correlations were found between the PBW and the ST at 30 and 45 min after birth. The PBW was negatively correlated with the TFS. The THI showed high negative correlations (−0.824 and −0.815) with STB and after 15 min from birth. The piglet’s surface temperature at birth was positively correlated with temperature thereof to 15 min, influencing therefore the temperatures in the interval of 45 to 120 min. The birth weight contributes significantly to postnatal hypothermia and consequently to the time it takes for piglets ingest colostrum, requiring special attention to those of low birth weight.

Sows and Piglets Thermal Comfort: A Comparative Study of the Tiles Used in the Farrowing Housing

“…After three hours, the SST showed an increase of approximately 2 °C and the PST of 1.5 °C in the pens with clay tile, and 1.7°C and 0.5 °C in the pens with fiber-cement tiles, respectively (FIGURE 3). These results agree with CALDARA et al (2014), that identified the direct influence of the ambient on piglet body temperature.…”

“…GRANDIN (2013) alerts that heavy pigs under environment above 27 °C of temperature and 80% of relative humidity are in critical condition. The thermal comfort in the farrowing pens is a challenge that involves balancing of biological needs of the sows and piglets, as well as to meet the thermal requirements of the piglets while safeguarding sow comfort (BAXTER et al, 2011;CALDARA et al, 2014). Heat stress is the primary source of losses in pig production due the animal's responses to the variation of climate condition that they are exposed (RENAUDEAU et al, 2011).…”

L‐arginine supplementation during the final third of gestation improves litter uniformity and physical characteristics of neonatal piglet thermoregulation

“…Furthermore, piglets' body conformation affects their thermoregulation capacity in the first hours of life (Caldara et al, 2014). In this study, dietary L-arginine supplementation increased piglets' average rectal temperature at birth.…”

“…Low‐weight piglets are less able to maintain body temperature and need more time to reach the udder; therefore, they consume less colostrum (Herpin et al, ; Lay Júnior, Matteri, Carroll, Fangman, & Safranski, ). Furthermore, piglets’ body conformation affects their thermoregulation capacity in the first hours of life (Caldara et al, ). In this study, dietary L‐arginine supplementation increased piglets’ average rectal temperature at birth.…”

Study of the thermal mode of a barn for piglets and a sow, created by combined heating system

“…During irradiation, blood intensively flows to the peripheral vessels, which creates a thermal barrier that prevents the organism from overcooling. In optimum doses, infrared rays have anticold properties [6,7]. The height of infrared lamps mounting depends on air temperature in the room, as well as on the animal's body temperature.…”