Engel F. Hessel

Gas and particle concentrations in horse stables with individual boxes as a function of the bedding material and the mucking regimen.

The aim of this study was to compare different types of bedding and mucking regimens used in horse stables on the generation of airborne particulate matter <10 microm (PM10) and 3 biogenic gases (carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and especially ammonia). Three separate experiments were undertaken. The experiments were carried out in an enclosed stable (9.7 m long, 8.7 m wide, and 3.5 m high) that had 5 single boxes housing 4 horses. The measuring instruments were set up in the middle of one side of the stable. In Exp. 1, 3 types of bedding material (wheat straw, straw pellets, and wood shavings) used for horses were assessed according to their ammonia generation. Each type of bedding was used for 2 wk, with 3 repetitions. The mean ammonia concentrations within the stable were 3.07 +/- 0.23 mg/m(3) for wheat straw, 4.79 +/- 0.23 mg/m(3) for straw pellets, and 4.27 +/- 0.17 mg/m(3) for wood shavings. In Exp. 2, the effects of the mucking regimen on the generation of ammonia and PM10 from wheat straw (the bedding with the least ammonia generation in the previous experiment) were examined using 3 different daily regimens: 1) no mucking out, 2) complete mucking out, and 3) partial mucking out (removing only feces). The mean ammonia concentrations in the stable differed significantly among all 3 mucking regimens (P < 0.05). The greatest values were recorded when the stalls were mucked out completely every day [least squares means (LSM) = 2.25 +/- 0.1 mg/m(3)]. No mucking out resulted in an LSM of 1.92 +/- 0.1 mg of ammonia/m(3), whereas an LSM of 1.54 +/- 0.1 mg of ammonia/m(3) was found when the partial mucking out method was used. No mucking out also resulted in significantly less average PM10 (124.4 +/- 13.4 microg/m(3)) than in the other 2 regimens (P < 0.05). In Exp. 3, a 6-wk bedding regimen without mucking out was evaluated with regard to gas and airborne particle generation. The ammonia values were found not to increase constantly during the course of the 6-wk period. The average weekly values for PM10 also did not increase constantly but varied between approximately 90 and 140 microg/m. It can be concluded from the particle and gas generation patterns found in the results of all 3 experiments that wheat straw was the most suitable bedding of the 3 types investigated and that mucking out completely on a daily basis should not be undertaken in horse stables.

Particulate Matter in Equestrian Stables and Riding Arenas

Abstract Equine respiratory disorders in horses have shown a marked increase in incidence and severity during the last years. This is mainly because of the widespread practice of keeping horses in individual stalls in enclosed stables and riding them in enclosed riding arenas, leading to continuous exposure to high concentrations of airborne particulate matter (APM). Correct management and treatment of horses suffering from airway diseases are of vital importance. However, the prevention of airway diseases is also becoming increasingly important. Apart from the living environment (pasture, open stables, stalls with close‐by paddocks, and stalls with exterior and interior windows), special attention has to be given to the quality of forage, concentrated feed, and bedding materials as well as maintenance of the surfaces in riding arenas to protect horses from high concentrations of APM. Since most horses are kept in stables, it is of cardinal importance to ensure that activities causing high levels of APM such as mucking out, cleaning the stable corridors, etc. are only carried out when the horses are not present in the stables. Because of the significantly lower sedimentation rate of fine particles (which are a major factor fostering the occurrence of airway diseases), they can still be found in high concentrations in the stalls hours after these activities. To reduce APM in stables, it is possible to use bedding material and forage with low contents of particulate matter such as straw pellets, wood shavings, haylage, and silage. These are (without requiring prior treatment) especially suitable for horses suffering from chronic and allergic equine respiratory disorders. Alternatively, specific treatments may be applied. Beside the use of fluid additives to concentrated feeds, it is possible to treat forage by steaming or soaking. The concentration of APM in the air of a riding arena is mainly dependent on the location (free standing or attached to the stables), the type of footing material, the humidity of the footing material, and the number of horses being trained at the same time. Because the riding arena is an important location for equestrian sports, its relevance for respiratory health of horses is very high. HighlightsConcentrate type influences the airborne particulate matter generation (APM).Harvesting time and conditions influences the APM generation through forage.Airborne particulate matter concentration of riding arenas is dependent on the footing material.Depending on the bedding material, different APM concentrations are set free.

The effect of heated mash on performance and feeding behavior of newly weaned piglets

The influence of heated mash on growth and feeding behavior of newly weaned piglets was investigated. An automatically ventilated nursery with 4 identical pens was used. Twenty piglets weaned at 21 d were housed in each pen. The experiment was repeated 3 times. In total, data were obtained from 240 piglets of 12 pens. The pens were provided with a sensor-controlled, automatic feeding device, which dosed a ready-mixed mash in a trough. In each of 2 of the pens, the feed was mixed with warm water at 36 degrees C, during the first week of weaning. This heated mash had a temperature of 34 degrees C at the outlet of the automatic feeding device (experimental group). In the 2 control groups, the water was not heated and the temperature of the mash was 14 degrees C at the outlet of the automatic feeding device. From the second week of weaning, the mash had a temperature of 14 degrees C at the outlet of the automatic feeding device in all 4 pens. Piglets were weighed at weaning, at weekly intervals through 49 d after weaning, and on d 139 after weaning. Behavior of the whole group, as well as behavior of selected focal animals, was evaluated for the first 48 h after weaning. In addition, skin condition of piglets was assessed on day of weaning and on d 7, 14, and 21 after weaning. The amount of feed consumed by the piglets was recorded on a daily basis throughout the whole period of nursery. Over the total period of the study, piglets in the experimental group gained 3.98 +/- 1.66 kg (P = 0.047) more than the control group. The difference was particularly clear during the nursery period (49 d) when the experimental group gained 0.89 +/- 0.23 kg more than the control group (P = 0.03). Although piglets in the control group consumed 37.15 +/- 0.15 kg of feed over the complete nursery period, the experimental group consumed 42.56 +/- 0.15 kg per piglet (P = 0.023). By heating the mash feed in the first week after weaning, both growth performance as well as feed consumption of piglets could be increased. No difference in feed conversion and feeding behavior was found between groups.

Effects of Watering/Steaming of Large Square Hay Bales on Particulate Matter Generation

&NA; One of the factors strongly influencing air quality in horse stables is the release of airborne particulate matter (APM) from roughage. This study examined the effects of a new system of steaming whole hay bales on the release of APM from hay. The hay bales were first watered from above and then placed in a specially constructed box and steamed with water vapor. To determine the effect of steaming the bales on the release of APM <10 &mgr;m (PM 10) and <2.5 &mgr;m (PM 2.5), samples of untreated and treated (watered and steamed) hay were examined under standardized conditions using a gravimetric particle analyzer (TEOM 1400a). In addition, the moisture content of the samples was measured. The average moisture content of the untreated samples was 13%. After watering/steaming the average moisture content rose to 31%, with a gradient from the surface to the center of the bale. Compared to untreated hay, watering/steaming of whole hay bales showed a nearly 90% decrease in PM 10 and PM 2.5 release and a mean decrease in bacteria and mold content in the hay dry matter (DM) of 49.70% and 34.53%, respectively. However, the quality of the watering/steaming process and hay bale texture has to be considered. Furthermore, an exponential relationship between the moisture content of the hay samples and their PM 10 and PM 2.5 release could be shown. A reduction in PM 10 and PM 2.5 release was determined for a moisture content of up to 25%. HighlightsRoughage (hay) contains high levels of airborne particulate matter.Watering/steaming of hay bales leads to a reduction of PM 10 and PM 2.5 generation.Watering/steaming of hay bales leads to a reduction of mold content in the hay.

Partikelabscheidetechnologie für Einstreumaterialien und Raufuttermittel

In Bezug auf die Reduzierung luftgetragener Partikel in der Pferdehaltung steht primar die Behandlung der Hauptkontaminationsquellen von Schwebstaub im Vordergrund. Deshalb war es das Ziel dieser Studie, den Einfluss der mechanischen Behandlung verschiedener Einstreumaterialien und Raufuttermittel mithilfe einer neu entwickelten Technologie auf die Schwebstaubkonzentration und den Schimmelpilzgehalt unter Laborbedingungen zu untersuchen. Durch die Behandlung konnte eine Schwebstaubreduzierung von bis zu 90 % in den Partikelfraktionen PM20, PM10, und PM1.0 erreicht werden. Die Analyse des Gehaltes an Schimmelpilzen zeigte eine bis zu 92 %ige Reduzierung. In der Partikelfraktion PM2.5 konnte der Schwebstaub um bis zu 70 % reduziert werden.

Füllstandsgesteuertes Anfütterungssystem oder konventioneller Rohrbreiautomat

Es wurde der Einfluss eines sensorgesteuerten Futterautomaten im Vergleich zum Rohrbreiautomaten auf die Aufzuchtsleistung untersucht. In einer Gruppe wurde in den ersten 14 Tagen das sensorgesteuerte Anfutterungssystem eingesetzt, ab dem 15. Tag wurde mit einem Rohrbreiautomaten gefuttert. In Gruppe 2 wurde nur der Rohrbreiautomat eingesetzt. Ferkel der Gruppe 1 konnten in den ersten 14 Tagen signifikant hohere Zunahmen aufweisen. Dies war auch nach funfwochiger Aufzucht noch statistisch nachzuweisen. Mehrzunahmen von 660 g der ersten zwei Versuchswochen stand ein Mehrverbrauch an Futter von 815 g gegenuber.