de Oliveira, M.J.K.; Valk, M.; Melo, A.D.B.; Marçal, D.A.; Silva, C.A.; Valini, G.A.C.; Arnaut, P.R.; Gonçalves, J.P.R.; Andretta, I.; Hauschild, L. Feeding Behavior of Finishing Pigs under Diurnal Cyclic Heat Stress. Animals2023, 13, 908.
de Oliveira, M.J.K.; Valk, M.; Melo, A.D.B.; Marçal, D.A.; Silva, C.A.; Valini, G.A.C.; Arnaut, P.R.; Gonçalves, J.P.R.; Andretta, I.; Hauschild, L. Feeding Behavior of Finishing Pigs under Diurnal Cyclic Heat Stress. Animals 2023, 13, 908.
de Oliveira, M.J.K.; Valk, M.; Melo, A.D.B.; Marçal, D.A.; Silva, C.A.; Valini, G.A.C.; Arnaut, P.R.; Gonçalves, J.P.R.; Andretta, I.; Hauschild, L. Feeding Behavior of Finishing Pigs under Diurnal Cyclic Heat Stress. Animals2023, 13, 908.
de Oliveira, M.J.K.; Valk, M.; Melo, A.D.B.; Marçal, D.A.; Silva, C.A.; Valini, G.A.C.; Arnaut, P.R.; Gonçalves, J.P.R.; Andretta, I.; Hauschild, L. Feeding Behavior of Finishing Pigs under Diurnal Cyclic Heat Stress. Animals 2023, 13, 908.
Abstract
The impact of cyclic heat stress (CHS) and lighting events on pig feeding behavior (FB) was investigated. The FB of 90 gilts was recorded in real time under two ambient temperatures (AT): thermoneutrality (TN, 22 °C) or CHS (22°/35 °C). The day was divided into four periods: PI (06-08 h); PII (08-18 h); PIII (18-20 h); and PIV (20-06 h). Automatic and Intelligent Precision Feeders recorded each feed event for each pig. An estimated meal criterion (49 minutes) was used to calculate the FB variables. Feed behavior in both ATs followed a circadian pattern. The CHS reduced the feed intake by 6.9%. Pigs prioritized feed intake during the coolest hours of the day; however, nocturnal cooling did not allow the pigs to compensate for the reduced meal size due to CHS. The highest meal size and most of the meals were observed during the lighting-on period. Pigs reduced their interval between meals during periods II and III. The lighting program increased the meal size when the lights were switched on and reduced the meal size when the lights were switched off. Thus, the dynamics of the FB were largely influenced by AT, while the meal size was affected by the lighting program.
Biology and Life Sciences, Animal Science, Veterinary Science and Zoology
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