scholarly journals Behavior and Welfare of Undocked Heavy Pigs Raised in Buildings with Different Ventilation Systems

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2338
Author(s):  
Marika Vitali ◽  
Enrica Santolini ◽  
Marco Bovo ◽  
Patrizia Tassinari ◽  
Daniele Torreggiani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Ventilation System ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Behavioral Measures ◽  
Mechanically Ventilated ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Positive Affective State ◽  
Fattening Pigs ◽  
Ventilation Systems

The present study aimed to evaluate animal welfare of pigs from the same farm, raised with two ventilation systems. The study involved 60 pens of fattening pigs, raised in two buildings: one naturally ventilated (NV) and the other mechanically ventilated (MV). Pigs were assessed on three observation days: at 40 kg (T1), 100 kg (T2), and 160 kg (T3) of live weight. Animal-based measures were used such as qualitative behavioral analysis (QBA), behavioral measures (BMs), and lesion and health measures (LHMs). Housing conditions (HCs) measured at each observation day were the number of pigs per pen, space allowance, temperature, light, and CO2. The association study was performed using a general linear model and analysis of variance. Ventilation effect was analyzed by performing computational fluid dynamics. Results showed that overall pigs raised in the MV were in a more positive affective state. Despite that, with hot temperatures, the higher occurrence of pig soiling indicated heat stress in pigs and consequent welfare impairment. The higher frequency of pigs showing dog sitting behavior at T2 and T3 suggest welfare worsening in the last phases of fattening. The study concludes that ventilation system influences animal behavior and overall animal welfare, especially during the warmer season.

scholarly journals Investigation of influence of growing pigs’ positive affective state on behavioral and physiological parameters using structural equation modeling

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja L Krugmann ◽  
Farina J Mieloch ◽  
Joachim Krieter ◽  
Irena Czycholl
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Latent Variable ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Body Language ◽  
Physiological Parameters ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Behavioral Tests ◽  
Positive Affective State ◽  
Fattening Pigs

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the primarily positive affective state of fattening pigs influences various behavioral and physiological parameters such as the pigs’ playing behavior, way of behaving in behavioral tests, body language signals, or diameter, and astroglia cell numbers of hippocampi, salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) content, or salivary protein composition. Additionally, the suitability of the variables mentioned was examined to assess the pigs’ positive affective state in practice, which still constitutes a latent variable not itself measurable. For this, a dataset including behavioral and physiological data of 60 fattening pigs from 3 different farms with different housing systems was analyzed by the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method. A hierarchical component model (HCM) was used including the pigs’ positive affective state as a higher-order component (HOC) and the behavioral and physiological parameters as lower-order components (LOC). Playing behavior, body language signals, and behavioral tests were revealed, in this order, to be most influenced by the pigs’ positive affective state since these resulted in the corresponding path coefficients (PC) of PC = 0.83, PC = 0.79, and PC = 0.62, respectively. Additionally moderate and weak R2-values occurred for the endogenous latent variables playing behavior (R2 = 69.8%), body language signals (R2 = 62.7%), and behavioral tests (R2 = 39.5%). Furthermore, the indicator of the “locomotor play” showed the highest indicator reliability (IR) (IR = 0.85) to estimate the latent variable of pigs’ positive affective state. The results of the present study supplement the comprehension and assessment of the pigs’ positive affective state in general.

scholarly journals Are Behavioral Tests Capable of Measuring Positive Affective States in Growing Pigs?

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Krugmann ◽  
Farina Warnken ◽  
Joachim Krieter ◽  
Irena Czycholl
Keyword(s):  
Affective State ◽  
Growing Pigs ◽  
Behavioral Tests ◽  
Affective States ◽  
Novel Object ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Positive Affective State ◽  
Fattening Pigs

This study examined whether the human approach test (HAT) or novel object test (NOT), which are considered as suitable tests for assessing the level of fear or anxiety in animals, are suitable to detect a positive affective state in 297 fattening pigs from three different farms. The investigated farms consisted of a barren (farm 1, n = 160) and an enriched (farm 2, n = 106; farm 3, n = 31) husbandry. Each pig was subjected three times to the HAT and NOT during fattening (at the start, middle, and end of fattening). The pigs housed in the barren environment showed quicker approach latencies than the enriched-housed pigs (HAT: farm 1: 7.4 ± 1.1 s vs. farm 2: 57.1 ± 1.1 s, respectively, farm 3: 58.3 ± 1.3 s (end of fattening); NOT: farm 1: 4.5 ± 1.1 s vs. farm 2: 23.0 ± 1.1 s, respectively, farm 3: 9.0 ± 1.2 s (end of fattening)). The same pattern of behavior was observed for the duration of contacts in the HAT but not in the NOT (HAT: farm 1: 83.8 ± 1.1 s vs. farm 2: 6.3 ± 1.1 s, respectively, farm 3: 7.6 ± 1.3 s (end of fattening)). However, due to controversially discussed literature, it is difficult to conclude whether the described differences in the pigs’ behavior between the two housing systems might indicate useful indicators to detect their affective state.

scholarly journals Identifying mechanical ventilation issues in classrooms

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 00055
Author(s):  
Julia Janiga ◽  
Joanna Krzempka ◽  
Aleksandra Szczerbińska
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Ventilation System ◽  
Operating Time ◽  
Mechanically Ventilated ◽  
Ventilation Systems

This article focuses on the issues of indoor air quality in mechanically ventilated classrooms. The aim of the study was to determine the reasons for inadequate air quality reported by occupants. Two different ventilation systems were assessed by measuring CO2 and VOC concentrations in classrooms during operating time. Results showed that in both cases, CO2 levels in the air, even though mostly acceptable, were exceeded throughout the measuring periods on occasion. Based on obtained data, in both cases probable causes for reported ventilation system malfunctions were proposed.

scholarly journals Development of an Energy­Efficient Microclimate System for Dairy Herd Loose Keeping

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 73-80
Author(s):  
I. M. Dovlatov ◽  
S. S. Yurochka
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Ventilation System ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Technical Literature ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Hybrid Ventilation ◽  
Ventilation Systems

The authors studied the scientific and technical literature regarding the microclimate influence on dairy cattle productivity. It was found out that the building microclimate parameter deviation from certain limit values reduces milk yield by 10-20 percent decrease the live weight gain by 20-30 percent increases the mortality of young animals by 5-40 percent and reduces the number of lactations by 15-20 percent for the herd. (Research purpose) To conduct a survey of modern microclimate systems and their technical implementation for livestock buildings, suggesting the best option while reducing energy costs. (Materials and methods) A classification scheme was provided for microclimate systems. The factors affecting the microclimate of livestock premises were presented in one figure. The main functions of ventilation systems in animal husbandry were identified. The conditions for the use of natural and forced (tunnel) ventilation systems were described. The devices for changing the microclimate on the premises were presented. The possibility of using an overlapped ridge in the area of the roof ridge was considered to catch the airflow and minimize moisture penetration. (Results and discussion) To decrease energy consumption, it was proposed to shift from a supply ventilation system to a natural and hybrid ventilation system, which contains an air removal system, lighting equipment, heating elements, sensors, fans with spray nozzles, sashes. (Conclusions) It was found out that in summer, natural ventilation is unable to prevent heat stress from cows. It was determined that in case of heat stress within 60 days, losses could amount to 4.2 million rubles. To ensure optimal microclimate conditions and reduce costs from heat stress, it was proposed to use an innovative natural and hybrid ventilation system. The calculations showed that a 60-day energy consumption of  the proposed system equals 264 thousand rubles.

scholarly journals Annual dynamics of the micro-climate parameters in pig farms and their impacts on the production qualities of lactating sows

2019 ◽  
pp. 43-54
Author(s):  
S. Zhyzhka ◽  
N. Povod
Keyword(s):  
Ventilation System ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Underground Mines ◽  
Gas Composition ◽  
Traditional System ◽  
Lactating Sows ◽  
Suckling Piglets ◽  
The Right ◽  
Microclimate Conditions ◽  
Ventilation Systems

The experiment compared the annual dynamics of microclimate parameters in sows and lactation rooms of sows under different variants of their ventilation and its effect on sows' productive qualities and growth of their offspring. Technological group of lactating sows with pigs are very sensitive to any climate change. They are basis for the next development and implementation of their genetic potential, therefore one of the most important issues of retention is the right choice of the microclimate creation system. One of the main tasks in this case is also the reduction of energy costs to ensure proper parameters, both for animals and for their serving staff. It was revealed that during the year the geothermal ventilation system of the premises, due to the heating of the air in the underground mines and its uniform distribution by the air duct system, created more comfortable temperature conditions of keeping for the pigs and sows, compared to the traditional ventilation system. Both traditional and geothermal ventilation systems during this period provided optimal gas composition of the air and maintained it within the normal range. Optimal indices of humidity in rooms were at both systems of creation of a microclimate in all seasons except summer. In the summer both ventilation systems failed to provide optimal indoor humidity. The best microclimate conditions created by the geothermal ventilation system in the pig yard for the farrowing contributed to the improvement the conservation of piglets by 1.05−2.03 % before weaning, the increase in individual weight by 2.87−9.83 %, nest weights by 3.82−11.57 % when weaned, and live weight gain of suckling piglets by 8.12−25.9 g in all seasons, compared to the traditional system. Key words: productivity, ventilation, microclimate, air, temperature, gas composition, sow, piglet, multiplicity.

Factors affecting voluntary feed intake in pigs. II. The effect of two levels of crude fibre in the diet on the intake and performance of fattening pigs

1967 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. A. Cole ◽  
J. E. Duckworth ◽  
W. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Carcass Quality ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Voluntary Feed Intake ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Isocaloric Diets ◽  
Fattening Pigs

1. Voluntary feed intake, performance and carcass quality were studied with 20 individually housed pigs given isocaloric diets (2,770 kcal/kg. DM) containing either 8·9 % or 12·9 % crude fibre in the dry matter over the period of growth from 45 to 91 kg. live-weight.2. There were no significant differences between diets in voluntary feed intake, rate of gain or carcass quality.3. Apparent digestibility coefficients and rates of passage of the diets were determined in eight castrated male pigs. Rates of passage were not significantly affected by diet or live-weight when determined at 57 and 82 kg. live-weight.

705. A comparison of dried skim-milk and white fish meal as protein supplements for fattening pigs: II. On all-meal feeding under commercial conditions

1958 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Braude ◽  
Pamela M. Clarke ◽  
K. G. Mitchell ◽  
A. S. Cray ◽  
A. Franke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fish Meal ◽  
Skim Milk ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Weight Basis ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Protein Supplements ◽  
Meal Feeding ◽  
Experiment Individual ◽  
Fattening Pigs

1. Results are reported of an experiment carried out under commercial conditions to obtain information on the comparative value of dried skim-milk and white fish meal as protein supplements for fattening pigs.2. There were four treatments. Control pigs (i) received a meal mixture containing 10% white fish meal, reduced to 7% from 130 lb. live weight. In the other experimental groups, the fish meal was replaced by dried skim-milk, (ii) on a weight for weight basis, (iv) on a protein basis and (iii) intermediate between (ii) and (iv). All pigs were fed the meal dry and ad lib. up to a maximum of 6½ lb./head daily. Unrestricted water was available.There were five pens of nine group-fed pigs on each treatment, involving a total of 180 pigs. The pigs were on experiment from approximately 10 weeks of age to bacon weight. Comprehensive carcass measurements were made on all the pigs.3. The results showed that a significantly better rate of growth was obtained when the white fish meal was replaced by dried skim-milk on a weight for weight basis. Increasing the percentage of skim-milk in the diet up to 15% resulted in a slightly better performance of the pigs, but no further improvement was obtained by raising the level of skim-milk to 20%. These results were discussed in relation to an apparent set-back that the control pigs suffered at the start of the experimental period.4. The inclusion of dried skim-milk in the diet had an adverse effect on the carcass grading, particularly in so far as it resulted in a thicker layer of back fat over the loin as compared with that in the control pigs.5. There was also some indication that the carcasses from the animals given dried skim-milk had slightly thicker bellies and a smaller breadth of eye muscle than the carcasses of the control animals that received fish meal.6. The results have been compared with those of an earlier trial, which was in most details the same as that reported here, the main difference being that in the earlier experiment individual feeding and one breed of pig were used.

scholarly journals Evaluation of litter material and ventilation systems in poultry production: III. litter reuse, darkling beetle populations and intestinal parasites

2011 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 1372-1380
Author(s):  
Valéria Maria Nascimento Abreu ◽  
Doralice Pedroso de Paiva ◽  
Paulo Giovanni de Abreu ◽  
Arlei Coldebella
Keyword(s):  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Ventilation System ◽  
Poultry Production ◽  
Rice Husks ◽  
Darkling Beetle ◽  
Eimeria Spp ◽  
Soybean Straw ◽  
Ventilation Systems

It was evaluated the quality of rice husks or soybean straw as litter substrate and the effect of litter reuse for four consecutive flocks of broiler chickens on populations of darkling beetle and intestinal parasite and as organic fertilizer. The experiment was carried out in four 12 m × 10 m poultry houses, internally divided in 4 boxes/poultry house with 200 birds/pen for four consecutive flocks, each flock with a duration of 42 days and with a 15-day downtime between flocks. The evaluated treatments were two ventilation systems (stationary or oscillating fans) and two litter materials (soybean straw or rice husks). Darkling beetle population was followed by collecting the insects in traps, three traps per box, and endoparasite litter contamination was determined by eggs/oocyst counts per gram of litter. Levels of dry matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, potassium, copper, zinc, manganese, iron, organic carbon and pH were evaluated by physical/chemical analyses of samples of the litters in each flock. Overall, litters of broilers used by three flocks meet the minimal legal requirements to be marketed as simple organic fertilizer, regardless to the material used as substrate. Soybean straw presented higher darkling beetle counts in stationary ventilation system as well as in oscillating ventilation system. The probability of rice husks litter present contamination by Eimeria spp oocysts is 18.78 times higher in rice husks than in soybean straw litter when both are submitted to oscillating ventilation, and 1.32 higher when stationary ventilation is used. Litter temperature does not influence significantly levels of contamination by oocysts.

scholarly journals The Effect of Human–Horse Interactions on Equine Behaviour, Physiology, and Welfare: A Scoping Review

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2782
Author(s):  
Katherine Jennifer Kelly ◽  
Laurie Anne McDuffee ◽  
Kimberly Mears
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Physiological Measures ◽  
Human Interactions ◽  
Positive Affective State ◽  
Permanent Effect ◽  
Equine Welfare ◽  
Equine Industry ◽  
Negative Affective State

Human–horse interactions (HHIs) are diverse and prominent in the equine industry. Stakeholders have an invested interest in making sure that HHIs are humane. Assessment of equine welfare goes beyond physical health and includes assessment of the emotional state of the animal. HHIs can have a permanent effect on human–horse relationships, thereby influencing welfare. Therefore, an understanding of the horse’s affective state during HHIs is necessary. A scoping review was conducted to: (1) map current practices related to the measurement of HHIs; (2) explore the known effects of HHIs on horse behaviour and physiology; and (3) clarify the connection between HHIs and equine welfare. A total of 45 articles were included in this review. Studies that used both physiological and behavioural measures of equine response to human interactions accounted for 42% of the included studies. A further 31% exclusively used physiological measures and 27% used behavioural observation. Current evidence of equine welfare during HHIs is minimal and largely based on the absence of a negative affective state during imposed interactions. Broadening the scope of methods to evaluate a positive affective state and standardization of methodology to assess these states would improve the overall understanding of the horse’s welfare during HHIs.

scholarly journals Straw or hay as environmental improvement and its effect on behaviour and production traits of fattening pigs

2008 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 549-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Jordan ◽  
S. Žgur ◽  
G. Gorjanc ◽  
I. Štuhec
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Total Activity ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Lean Meat ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Fattening Pigs

Abstract. Fattening pigs are commonly kept in intensive housing systems with slatted floor which represent a very barren environment, causing poor animal welfare. To improve such conditions a small amount of straw or hay (100 g per animal per day laid daily in a rack) was used in our study as an environmental enrichment (EE). Two replications, each including 96 fattening pigs of both sexes (3 pens of 16 females and 3 pens of 16 male castrates) from 60 kg to slaughter at average 96 kg live weight, were used to test the effect of EE and sex on behaviour, growth rate, and carcass composition. EE significantly increased the proportion of total activity during the illumination period (between 6 a. m. and 2 p. m.) on account of increased occupation with substrate (P<0.01). EE also significantly reduced time spent biting pen bars and frequency of aggressive encounters (P<0.01). The EE increased total activity in female animals during the observation period, but not in male castrates. None of the EE significantly influenced pigs‘ growth rate and lean meat percentage; however females in enriched environment grew slower and had greater lean meat percentage than the castrated males. Provision of a small amount of straw or hay to pigs in intensive housing systems can enrich barren environment in inexpensive and efficient way. Therefore such enrichment can be widely used also in large commercial pig production systems.

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