Effects of Modified Summer Environment on Swine Performance

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Abstract
Results are reported of an experiment involving 48 growing-finishing pigs in confinement under California summer conditions with an average diurnal temperature range of 58.5 to 94.4° F. and an average mean temperature of 75.0° F. The following treatments were compared to a control lot: wallow in the sun, wallow in the shade, wallow combined with increased air motion, access to a small air-conditioned house, and confinement to a pen inside a large hog barn. Over the 70-day experimental period all treated groups gained weight more rapidly (1.43 to 1.51 lb. per day) than the controls (1.30 lb. per day), but there were no significant differences between treatments. Food utilization appeared lowest in the control group and greatest in the group with access to the air-conditioned house. Copyright © . .