Fatores que afetam o desempenho de suínos nas fases de crescimento e terminação

The objective of this work was to identify and quantify, through multiple linear regression models, the factors of production that affect the daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio of pigs in the growing and finishing phases, in farms linked to a company. The production records of 690 batches were evaluated, representing approximately 363 thousand animals housed between 2010 and 2013 in 118 commercial farms linked to a company in the state of Paraná, Brazil. Forty‑four factors of production related to facilities, management, health status, genetics, and feeding were considered. Daily feed intake (DFI) was lower in batches from farms that had trees planted on the sides of the barns and in those formed only by females. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was better in batches from farms with trees on the sides of the barns, housed during summer/fall, originated from farms with barns built of masonry and that had compost bins and specialized units for producing piglets. The initial and final weights of the batches affected DFI, and the initial weight and duration of the growing and finishing phases, the FCR. The multiple linear regression models allow identifying important variables and estimating their effects on FCR and DFI of pigs in the growing and finishing phases.O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar e quantificar, por meio de modelos de regressão linear múltipla, os fatores de produção que afetam o consumo diário de ração e a conversão alimentar de suínos nas fases de crescimento e terminação, em granjas integradas a uma cooperativa. Foram avaliados os históricos produtivos de 690 lotes, que representavam aproximadamente 363 mil animais alojados entre 2010 e 2013 em 118 granjas vinculadas a uma cooperativa do Estado do Paraná. Foram considerados 44 fatores de produção relacionados a instalações, manejo, sanidade, genética e alimentação. O consumo diário de ração (CDR) foi menor nos lotes oriundos de granjas com árvores nas laterais dos galpões e naqueles formados apenas por fêmeas. Já a conversão alimentar (CA) foi melhor para os lotes provenientes de granjas com árvores nas laterais dos galpões, alojados no verão/outono, oriundos de granjas edificadas em alvenaria e que apresentavam composteira e unidades especializadas produtoras de leitões. Os pesos de entrada e de saída dos lotes influenciaram o CDR, e o peso de entrada e a duração do período de engorda, a CA. Os modelos de regressão linear múltipla possibilitam identificar variáveis de importância e estimar seus efeitos sobre a conversão alimentar e o consumo diário de ração de suínos nas fases de crescimento e terminação

Piglets’ Surface Temperature Change at Different Weights at Birth

The study was carried out in order to verify the effects of piglets’ weight at birth on their surface temperature change (ST) after birth, and its relationship with ingestion time of colostrum. Piglets from four different sows were weighed at birth and divided into a totally randomized design with three treatments according to birth weight (PBW): T1 - less than 1.00 kg, T2 - 1.00 to 1.39 kg, and T3 - higher than or equal to 1.40 kg. The time spent for the first colostrum ingestion was recorded (TFS). Images of piglets’ surface by thermal imaging camera were recorded at birth (STB) and 15, 30, 45, 60, and 120 min after birth. The air temperature and relative humidity were recorded every 30 min and the indexes of temperature and humidity (THI) were calculated. A ST drop after 15 min from birth was observed, increasing again after sixty minutes. Positive correlations were found between the PBW and the ST at 30 and 45 min after birth. The PBW was negatively correlated with the TFS. The THI showed high negative correlations (−0.824 and −0.815) with STB and after 15 min from birth. The piglet’s surface temperature at birth was positively correlated with temperature thereof to 15 min, influencing therefore the temperatures in the interval of 45 to 120 min. The birth weight contributes significantly to postnatal hypothermia and consequently to the time it takes for piglets ingest colostrum, requiring special attention to those of low birth weight

Comparison of methodologies for assessment of pork loin eye area

The determination of loin eye area (LEA) is one of the most common methods to assess carcass quality and it is possible to adjust calculations to predict meat amount in the carcass which is one of the important features in the classification process. The aim of this study was to compare different methodologies used to determine LEA in swine. Fifteen crossbred pigs, Landrace x Large White, males and females, were slaughtered at 140 days of age. After 24 hours of cooling at 4°C, the Longissimus dorsi muscle was removed from the left half part of carcasses for evaluation of LEA between the 12th and 13th rib. The methods were: point counting on plastic grid of 1 cm2 and 0.25 cm2 (PCGP 1 cm2 and PCGC 0.25 cm2 ), circumference method by Echo Image Viewer (ECHO), circumference method using AutoCad ® program (CAD) and method of weighing paper (WP). The design was completely randomized with 15 replications per treatment and the data were subjected to Pearson correlation and variance analysis. Averages were compared by Tukey test at a significance level of 5%. LEA values were: 35.84, 35.69, 33.86, 34.22 and 36.71 cm2 , for the PCGP 1 cm2 , PCGP 0.25 cm2 , ECHO, CAD and WP methods, respectively. The LEA values determined by methods PCGP 1 cm2 , PCGP 0.25 cm2 and WP were similar; however they were higher than those obtained by the ECHO and CAD methodologies (P<0.0001). PCGP 1 cm2 , PCGP 0.25 cm2 and WP methods may overestimate LEA values. The choice of method to be used should be based on its practicality and availability of resources, since the difference obtained between them is low.A determinação da área de olho de lombo (LEA) é o método mais comum para análises de qualidade de carcaça, sendo possível ajustar cálculos para predizer o grau de musculosidade na mesma, sendo um recurso importante nos processos de classificação. Objetivou-se com este trabalho comparar diferentes metodologias utilizadas na determinação da LEA em suínos. Quinze suínos mestiços Landrace x Large White, machos e fêmeas, foram abatidos aos 140 dias de idade. Após 24 horas de refrigeração a 4°C o músculo Longissimus dorsi foi retirado da meia carcaça esquerda para avaliação da LEA entre a 12ª e 13ª costela. Os métodos utilizados para avaliação foram: contagem de pontos em gabarito plástico de 1 cm² e de 0,25 cm2 (CPGP 1 cm2 e CPGC 0,25 cm2 ), método de circunferência por meio do programa Echo Image Viewer (ECHO), método de circunferência por meio do programa AutoCad® (CAD) e método de pesagem do papel (WP). O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, com 15 repetições por tratamento e os dados foram submetidos a teste de correlação e análise de variância. As médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey, ao nível de 5% de significância. Os valores médios de LEA observados foram de 35,84, 35,69, 33,86, 34,22 e 36,71 cm2 , para os métodos CPGP 1 cm2 , CPGP 0,25 cm2 , ECHO, CAD e WP, respectivamente. Os valores de LEA determinados pelos métodos CPGP 1 cm2 , CPGP 0,25 cm2 e WP foram semelhantes entre si, entretanto superiores aos obtidos pelas metodologias ECHO e CAD (P<0,0001). Os métodos CPGP 1 cm2 , CPGP 0,25 cm2 e WP podem superestimar os valores de LEA. A escolha do método a ser utilizado deve ser feita com base em sua praticidade e disponibilidade de recursos, uma vez que a diferença entre eles é de pequena ordem

Morfologia do tecido ósseo de tíbias de frangos de corte submetidos à dieta com 25 hidrocolecalciferol

The success of the poultry industry is due in part to nutrition, and in recent decades, the average daily weight gain increased and due to this the incidence of leg weakness. The use of vitamin D has been widely studied in poultry in an attempt to reduce the damage caused by locomotor problems. Understanding the numerous nutritional factors involved in bone development, such as deficiencies of vitamins and minerals, are of paramount importance in the occurrence of skeletal disorders. Vitamin D3 in poultry has been widely used to decrease the incidence of certain metabolic disorders of the fast-growing birds, among them the tibial dyschondroplasia. Recent research has indicated requirements of vitamin D3 for increasing growth, increasing the ash content of bone, the amount of calcium in the blood, and preventing rickets. Thus, this work was to evaluate morphological and histological bone of broilers and the development of tibial dyschondroplasia, supplemented with vitamin D. We used 468 male chicks a day, three commercial strains reared in cages. Distributed in a completely randomized, allocated in a factorial 3x3 (three strains: Ross, Cobb and Hybro, three inclusion levels of vitamin D3 in the diet: 1250UI D3/kg without 25 - (OH) D3; 1250UI D3/kg with 69mg 25 - (OH) D3/te 3000IU D3/kg with 69mg 25 - (OH) D3 / t). The morphological and histological analysis showed that the treatment did not affect the development of tibial discrondroplasia, since the birds did not have this disorder. It was concluded that, even being raised in battery cages, bones bones of broilers were within normal limits, regardless of the levels of vitamin D3 in the diet and the strains studied.O sucesso da avicultura de corte deve-se em parte a nutrição, sendo que nas últimas décadas, o ganho de peso médio diário aumentou e decorrente a isso aumentou também a incidência de problemas locomotores. A utilização de vitamina D tem sido amplamente estudada na avicultura, na tentativa de diminuir os prejuízos causados por problemas locomotores. A compreensão dos inúmeros fatores nutricionais envolvidos no desenvolvimento ósseo, como deficiências de vitaminas e minerais são de suma importância na ocorrência de desordens esqueléticas. A vitamina D3 na avicultura tem sido amplamente utilizada na diminuição da incidência de algumas desordens metabólicas das aves de rápido crescimento, dentre elas a discondroplasia tibial. Recentes pesquisas têm apontado exigências de vitamina D3 para favorecer o crescimento, aumentar o conteúdo de cinzas dos ossos, a quantidade de cálcio no sangue, e prevenir o raquitismo. Dessa forma, este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar aspectos morfológicos e histológicos de ossos de frangos de corte e o desenvolvimento de discondroplasia tibial, suplementados com vitamina D. Foram utilizados 468 pintos machos de um dia, de três linhagens comerciais, criados em baterias metálicas. Distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, alocados em esquema fatorial 3x3 (três linhagens: Ross, Cobb e Hybro; três níveis de inclusão de vitamina D3 na dieta: 1250UI D3/kg sem 25-(OH)D3; 1250UI D3/kg com 69mg 25-(OH)D3/t e 3000UI D3/kg com 69mg 25-(OH)D3/t). As análises morfológicas e histológicas demonstraram que os tratamentos não influenciaram o desenvolvimento de discondroplasia tibial, já que as aves não apresentaram este distúrbio. Concluiu-se que, mesmo sendo criados em baterias metálicas, os ossos de frangos de corte, apresentaram-se dentro dos padrões de normalidade, independentemente dos níveis de vitamina D3 na dieta e das linhagens estudadas.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

The effect of supplementing sow and piglet diets with different forms of iron

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of chelated iron supplementation on gestating and lactating sows and on their suckling and weaned piglets. Reproductive traits, piglet performance, hematological parameters, and the iron concentrations in colostrum, milk, and stillborn livers were measured. Ninety-six sows were subjected to one of three treatment groups. Group T1 comprised pregnant and lactating sows treated with diets supplemented with inorganic iron (551 mg Fe/kg) and suckling piglets administered 200 mg of injectable iron dextran. Group T2 was the same as T1, except that sows after 84 days of gestation, lactating sows, and suckling piglets were fed a diet supplemented with 150 mg Fe/kg of chelated iron, and suckling piglets were administered injectable iron dextran. Group T3 was the same as T2 but without injectable iron dextran for suckling piglets. During the nursery phase, all of the weaned piglets were penned with their original groups or treatments and received isonutritive and isocaloric feeds. Piglets from the T2 and T3 groups also received an additional 150 mg Fe/kg of chelated iron via their feed. There were no differences among the treatments for reproductive traits or the iron concentrations in the colostrum, milk, or liver. The piglets that did not receive the injectable iron dextran showed the poorest performance during the pre-and post-weaning phases and showed the poorest hematological parameters of the suckling piglets. The chelated iron supplementation is insufficient to meet piglet demand. The iron dextran supply is necessary for suckling and weaned piglets

Behavior of immunocastrated pigs

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior of immunocastrated male pigs compared with females and castrated males during the period before and after full immunization. A total of 30 animals were divided into three treatments, with ten animals in each (females, barrows, and immunocastrated males). The experiment was divided into three periods: 70 to 80 days of age (period 1), 81 to 110 days of age (period 2), and 111 to 140 days of age (period 3). The behavior of animals during these stages was evaluated. Immunocastrated males showed a higher rate of aggressive and sexual behavior during period 2, which decreased after the second vaccine dose. Both barrows and immunocastrated males presented high locomotion in period 1, reducing the frequency of this activity in period 3. All analyzed animals had a higher level of activities such as drinking, playing, and sexual behavior in period 1 than in the other periods, decreasing during the experiment. The remaining behavioral responses did not differ between the studied categories. Immunocastrated males had higher proportions of undesirable behaviors (aggressive and sexual) related to the surgically castrated males and females, and these were reduced after the second vaccine dose. Immunocastration is effective in the reduction of behaviors such as agonistic and sexual at the same levels observed in females and surgically castrated males. However, immunocastrated pigs are more subject to these undesirable behaviors before full immunization

Assessing the most suitable floor system for growing-finishing piggery under tropical conditions using the analytic hierarchy process

Studies were carried out worldwide for evaluating different types of floor systems for growing-finishing pigs, specifically for assessing their effectiveness on pig performance, health and behaviour, leaving the opportunity for using multi-criteria analysis in decisionmaking towards the selection of flooring type. This study aimed to select the most suitable floor system for growing-finishing pigs under tropical conditions, considering performance traits and farmers management aspects. The analytic hierarchy process was applied for seeking the best solution considering both the farmers’ goals and the pigs’ welfare. Aspects considered in the analysis were: economic feasibility, rearing thermal and aerial ambient, animal behaviour, performance, and health status. The input used in the calculation was based on the results of a field trial using three treatments: whole concrete floor, coffee and rice husk bedding, and wood shavings deepbedding. Rearing conditions and pigs’ physiological parameters, performance, behaviour, and health status were analysed. When the floor system was considered, the most significant criteria were economic feasibility (0.31) and overall pig performance (0.31) leading to a final deep-bedding selection ranking of coffee and rice husks (1st), concrete floor (2nd), and wood shavings (3rd). Conversely, when the animal welfare was considered, the most decisive criterion was health status (0.32), followed by physiological parameters (0.25), and behaviour (0.23) leading to a final bedding selection ranking of coffee and rice husks (1st), wood shavings (2nd), and concrete floor (3rd). Results indicate that the deep-bedding of coffee and rice husks provided the best choice for both the farmer and the growing-finishing pigs