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COMPARING
THE EFFECT OF HEAT MATS AND HEAT LAMPS IN SWINE FARROWING BARNS
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Research
team: Q. Zhang, J. Wong Li, H. Xin, M.L. Connor, R. Boris |
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 Heat
mats have been shown to be more energy efficient than traditional
heat lamps for creep heating in swine farrowing facilities.
However, many swine farmers use both heat lamps and heat mats
in their farrowing barns. The use of a dual heating system leads
to high equipment costs and energy consumption. Four in-barn
tests were conducted to determine the performance and behavior
of newborn piglets between two heating regimes, namely heat
mats vs. heat mats plus heat lamps for the first two days. Studies
indicated that the mass gain and mortality rate results were
not statistically significant,  and
that a greater percentage of the newborn piglets preferred the
warmth given off by heat mats than heat lamps. Two piglet drying
tests were also conducted to determine the amount of birth fluid
(mucus) present on newborn piglets for estimating the supplemental
heat required to compensate for the heat loss caused by evaporation
of birth fluid. The average birth fluid of newborn piglets was
18.55 g per pig. The use of heat lamps at birth may be beneficial
in helping the piglets get dried off quickly. |
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