Pigs experience heat stress quite early for biological reasons. To decrease the impact of heat stress, modifying the feeding regime plays an important role.
Pigs are equipped with relatively few sweat glands and thus, experience heat stress quite early as they are not able to effectively dissipate warmth. A targeted approach is important to decrease the impact of heat stress as much as possible. Modifying the feeding regime therefore plays an important role.
PARTICULARLY SOWS SUFFER
Milk yield of sows increased during the last decades, however, feed intake has not been increased to the same extent. An energy deficit appears, resulting is reduced milk yield. Rising temperatures (already from 24°C) and in combination with high humidity amplify this effect: feed intake decreases, this to reduce the production metabolic warmth.
FEEDING AGAINST THE ENERGY GAP
To avoid unnecessary warmth from metabolic processes, starch should partly be replaced by fat as an energy source. By this, performance can be maintained on a high level.
A better performance can be realized by offering a high quality piglet milk replacer to the litter. This also supplements the milk deficit of the sow.
Furthermore heat stressed piglets can be offered additional electrolytes in order to regulate their energy and electrolyte balance. The result: piglets are more vital and healthy, contributing to a more efficient piglet rearing.
How to recognize heat stress:
- Abbreviated, faster breathing
- Increased water intake
- Reduced feed intake
- Animals are laying outstretched on their side, on heat dissipating material if possible