ArticleIn an intensive production system, the environment directly influences the comfort and
welfare of pigs. Animals under heat stress may exhibit behavioural changes and changes in
physiological parameters, such as increased body temperature, respiratory and cardiac
movements. The aim of this study was to evaluate the thermal comfort of growing and finishing
pigs housed in facilities with different construction typologies. The evaluated pens were: pen with
water depth (WDP) and pen with partially slatted floor (SLF). Data on the ambient thermal
environment in the pens and in the outside were collected automatically using Hobo dataloggers,
model U12-013. This equipment recorded the air temperature, relative humidity of the air and
black globe temperature in intervals of five minutes. Subsequently the variables were used in the
calculation of the temperature index of the globe and humidity. The physiological responses of
the animals were collected: Surface Temperature (ST) and Respiratory Rate (RF). When
analyzing the parameters: ST and RF, it was observed that the WDP pen presented a significant
difference in all the observed hours, with an increase observed throughout the day, and the SLF
pen presented a difference at 9:00 a.m. presenting a lower value than the other schedules
evaluated. The BGHI inside the pens showed average values in the hottest period of the day
slightly above what is recommended for adult pigs. Both facilities during the hottest time of the
day demonstrated a similar trend in relation to the evaluated variables, so it was concluded that
both pens provided the same conditions of thermal comfort for the animals