PSII-11 Comparison of multiple heat sources in the farrowing house: Effect on production and energy efficiency

Pre-weaning mortality, currently 20% in the United States, continues to rise and has been estimated to cost $400 to $600 million annually. Creep heat accounts for 36% (125 watt heat lamps) of the estimated 685,000 kWh electrical subtotal used in a 3000 sow farm. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of heat source type on production and electrical usage in the farrowing house at the Iowa State University Allen E. Christian Swine Teaching Farm. Seven multiparous crossbred sows housed in farrowing stalls were randomly assigned to a heat source treatment; Baby Pig Heat Mat – Single 48 (Kane Manufacturing, Pleasant Hill, IA; MAT n = 4) or Hog Slat® Poly Heat Lamp Fixture (Hogslat, Newton Grove, NC; LAMP n = 3). LAMP was controlled via a thermostat and varied by height and MAT was controlled via Thermostat Programmable 1 Zone (Kane Manufacturing, Pleasant Hill, IA). Both heat sources were set at 32.2⁰C and this was confirmed using an infrared temperature gun. Kill-A-Watt EZ Meter P4460 were connected to the individual heat source for group lactation duration to measure kilowatt hours (kWh) and were read twice weekly. Piglets were weighed on D1 (farrowing = D0) and at weaning. Production data including pre-weaning mortality and piglet weight at weaning were analyzed using a mixed model with parity, room and covariate of litter birth weight being fixed effects and sow being random. There was no difference in production values, pre-weaning mortality (P > 0.63,MAT=11.11%, LAMP = 11.76%) and piglet weaning weight (P > 0.13, MAT = 5.30 ± 0.18 kg, LAMP = 5.99 ± 0.21 kg), due to heat source type. The MAT (LS Mean 11.59 ± 1.31 kWh) used 4.2 times less electricity than LAMP (LS Mean 57.30 ± 1.56 kWh) (P < 0.05). In conclusion, with no difference in production values heat mats controlled with a programmable thermostat can decrease the high energy needs in the farrowing house.