Desempenho de suínos em dois modelos de maternidade

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of different types of maternity (conventional x acclimatized) on the animals’ performance. The experiment was carried out in a commercial farm, located in the town of Dois Vizinhos-PR. Twenty lactating sows were used in the same cycle range (3th, 4th and 5th cycle), distributed in a completely randomized experimental design, with 2 treatments (T1- conventional maternity and T2 - acclimatized maternity), 10 repetitions and 1 one sow (with litter) per experimental unit. The parameters evaluated was: corporal score of the sows in postpartum and at weaning, mean daily gain of piglets (GMD) and mortality rate of piglets. The measurement of temperature (maximum, minimum and average) and the relative humidity of the conventional maternity air were performed twice a day (morning and afternoon) by means of an apparatus called termohigromêtro, whereas for the thermal variables of the acclimatized maternity, the data was obtained directly from the control panel. The performance data were submitted to analysis of variance, being the difference between the means verified by the test F. Only piglet mortality was significantly influenced (P <0.05) by treatments, and T1 presented the worst results. Thus, it is concluded that the climatized room (T2), because it presents the lowest mortality rate and because it provides the best environmental conditions for the animals, is the most recommended in the lactation phase.