Effect of stocking rate and floor types on performance, skin temperature and leucogram in pigs raising
2017
Diovani Paiano | Ivan Moreira | Arley R.B. Quadros | Natalia Cristina Milani | Maria Luisa A. Nunes Z | Gustavo Machado | Aleksandro S. Da Silva
Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance, thermoregulatory characteristics and the leucogram of growing finishing pigs reared in different stocking rates kept on compact floor pens or with shallow pool pens. Material and methods. Thirty-six pigs were used in two steps (total of 72 animals were used). In the first step it was analysed performance pig (daily feed intake, weight gain and feed: gain ratio) and backfat thickness (P2). In the second step, the same analyzes were repeated, in addition, analysis of leucogram and skin temperature was performad in P2 and anal region, at the end of growing and finishing phase. Results. It was evaluated for differences between treatments and stocking. It was not found effect of floor type on growing phase, but the use of shallow pool had a negative effect on the gain and feed: gain ration in the finishing phase. Increasing linear effect on backfat thickness as the stocking rate was reduced, as well as lower surface temperature in the anal region on treatment with shallow pool in the finishing phase. No effect of treatments and type of floor on leucogram pigs. Allowing more space/animal decreased backfat thickness. The use of shallow pool affected negatively the performance in the finishing phase. Conclusions. The shallow pool uses impair the finishing pig performance, despite improving thermolysis, with no effect observed on cell immune response.
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