Effect of Air Movement and Ambient Temperature on the Zootechnical Performance and Behavior of Growing-Finishing Pigs

Two experiments, each involving on 192 feeders, were conducted to determine the effect of air movement and ambient temperature on the pig performance and behavior. Treatments included three ambient temperatures (28, 24 and 20 °C) combined with two air velocity (still air or 0.56 m/s at d1 increasing up to 1.3 m/s at d43). Relative humidity remained constant at 65-70 %. Fresh air renewal rates and hygrometry were the same for all treatments. The pigs were fed ad libitum. Climatic parameters data were recorded. Health status conditions was evaluated from the number of coughing and sneezing, and at slaughterhouse, the lungs were examined for lesions. The animal performance (weight gain, feed conversion) were measured throughout the trial period. Food and water consumptions were also recorded. In the second trial, pigs behavior was recorded. At both temperature levels of 28 and 24 °C, increasing air velocity improved growth rate and feed consumption but decreased feed efficiency. At ambient temperature of 20 °C, high air velocity increased food consumption but both growth rate and feed efficiency were lowered. Pigs housed at 24 °C and still air were less active and the lying area was greater than for those pigs housed at cold environmental temperature (20 °C) or with high air movement. At ambient temperature of 20 °C with high air velocity, 90 % of the pigs were huddling together.