Noninvasive thermographic evaluation of the thermal condition of piglets in the first month of life

Abstract

In a commercial swine farm located in Zacoalco de Torres, Jalisco, we carried out an experiment to obtain information regarding environmental temperature effects on the performance of 13 litters of piglets during the first twenty eight days. It was used a Fluke® thermograph to obtain temperature images. Hypothesis was it is possible to establish the effect of heat sources trough thermographic images on the response of the litters. The aim was to evaluate the thermal condition of the piglets in the first twenty eight days of life and their performance until weaning. Piglets were F1 crosses (York x Landrace) x Pietrain. Treatments were minimum, maximum, average and central point temperatures. Variables registered were mortality, weaned piglets, weight of the weaned litters, piglets’ individual weight and number of lactating days. Contribution is that temperatures in the first week have more influence on mortality, weaned piglets, weight of the weaned litters, piglets’ individual weight and number of lactating days, than the ones in the first month.