Effect of Ambient Temperature on Performance and Carcass Development in Young Swine

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Abstract
Twelve castrate male pigs averaging 9.3 kg were used to study effects of ambient temperature on performance and carcass development. Individual littermates were caged in temperature-controlled chambers (7, 23 and 33 C) and fed a fortified 16% crude protein corn-soybean meal diet. Pigs were slaughtered at an average within treatment weight of about 32 kilograms. Feed intake decreased significantly at 33 C and increased significantly at 7 C. Rate of gain decreased significantly at 33 C and gain/feed did not differ significantly among treatments, but pigs at 7 C were least efficient. Cold exposure resulted in significantly decreased carcass length. Lean muscle mass, estimated at 40K count, was significantly greater for pigs at 7 C. Backfat was variable and leaf fat increased as temperature increased. Weight of liver and its content of crude protein and fat increased with decrease in temperature. Kidney weight increased significantly with decreasing temperature but percent moisture, fat and protein did not differ significantly. Crude protein content of the L. dorsi muscle was significantly less at 33 than at 23 and 7 C. Size of the thyroid and adrenal glands decreased as temperature increased.

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