To Provide a Double Feeder in Growing Pigs Housed under High Environmental Temperatures Reduces Social Interactions but Does Not Improve Weight Gains

Abstract

Heat stress and competition for food are two major challenges in pigs reared in intensive conditions. The aim of the present work was to study the effect of providing a double feeder for pigs reared under two different environmental temperatures. In addition, two types of flooring, of 100% slat and 30% slat 70% concrete, were also considered. A total of 256 pigs in the growing-finishing period (from 27 kg to 110 kg) were housed using two environmental temperatures: control (from 18 °C to 25 °C) and heat stress (above 30 °C six hours a day). They were housed in 32 pens of 8 pigs each, distributed into 4 rooms (16 with one feeder and 16 with two). Pigs subjected to temperatures above 30 °C up to six hours had lower body weight gains than pigs subjected to a maximum temperature of 25 °C, confirming that thermal stress negatively affects performance in pigs. In addition, heat stress affected the final product by decreasing the lean percentage of carcasses by 2.6%. A double feeder reduced the presence of negative social behavior, especially in the feeding area, but body weight was lower than when one single feeder was used. A 30% slat 70% concrete floor showed better results in the pig stress indicators and body weights than 100% slat. It is concluded that providing a double feeder in the pens, although reducing the presence of negative social interactions, negatively affected body weight, in comparison to pigs fed with just one feeder.