Késia Oliveira da Silva Miranda

Caracterização bioclimática de sistemas ao ar livre e confinado para a criação de matrizes suínas gestantes

O confinamento de matrizes suinas foi criado com o intuito de maximizar a produtividade; entretanto, existem problemas relacionados ao bem-estar animal. Objetivou-se avaliar a criacao de matrizes suinas gestantes no sistema de confinamento e ao ar livre, com relacao ao ambiente termico e as respostas fisiologicas. O experimento foi realizado em Monte Mor/SP. A avaliacao fisiologica foi realizada por meio do registro das variaveis: frequencia respiratoria e temperatura de pele. Foram registradas as variaveis meteorologicas: temperatura de bulbo seco, temperatura de bulbo umido e temperatura de globo negro, caracterizando o ambiente por meio da entalpia e indice de temperatura de globo e umidade. Foram utilizados seis animais por tratamento. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em parcelas subdivididas, e as medias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey. As variaveis fisiologicas e meteorologicas apresentaram valores superiores no confinamento. O sistema de criacao ao ar livre potencializou as trocas termicas entre os animais e o ambiente, o que refletiu em menor estresse por calor observado nos animais.

Níveis de vibração e choques em diferentes estradas durante o transporte de ovos férteis

The levels of vibration and shock due to transport can affect the quality of fertile eggs. The aim of this study was to characterize and to evaluate the influence of roads on the levels of vibration and shock in the transport of fertile eggs. The survey was conducted in the poultry integrator company in the State of Sao Paulo, by tracking shipments in three different seasons (spring, summer and autumn). An air-conditioned trunk was used, with a capacity of 592 boxes of eggs, totaling an average of 90,840 eggs. The evaluation of vibration levels (m s-2) and shocks on unpaved and asphalt roads were recorded by four accelerometers brand Hobo. For the vibration level, the experimental design was completely randomized in a 3 x 2 x 4 factorial. For the number of shocks the experimental design was completely randomized with a factorial 3 x 2. The worst levels of vibration and shock load occurred in the vertical direction. The asphalt road provided the worst conditions for the transport of eggs. The transport losses exceeded 1%, which are attributed to cracks and breakage of eggs.

Methodology for Registering Internal Swine Temperature Using Skin Surface Temperature Sensors

The constant human influence in handling activities, besides raising production costs, becomes another stress source for the animals. The development of remote monitoring methods, in real time, of animal physical conditions, together with remote facilities control, enables the minimum human influence under animal behaviors. Thus, improving the quality of gathered data and decreasing the stress sources for the animals throughout the production cycle, improving also the levels of quality and feed conversion. This study is part of a project, which is related to the use of external temperature sensors in animals, and provides information related to the best surface location for estimation of inner body temperature by using skin temperature sensors, serving as an initial response for a broader study, relating different methods of surface temperature measurement, development of more appropriate sensors for the production conditions and consequently the project of environment automation and control systems. The location that showed best correlation with rectal temperature was the loin.

Bioclimatic Evaluation of Gestating Sows housed in Bedding and Concrete Floor Systems

Abstract: Regarding to heat stress at animal facilities, the use of bedding and pig production might be meaning of trouble, besides that, there is few literature talking about this type of system during the gestation. The objective of this work was to verify the effect of using shallow wood shavings bedding to improve the thermal comfort in gestating sows when they are housed at different systems during the gestation period. 1) full-period group housing + shallow wood shavings bedding; 2) full-period group housing + concrete floor (no bedding); 3) group housing after 28 days of gestation in the cage + shallow wood shavings bedding and 4) group housing after 28 days of gestation in the cage + concrete floor (no bedding). Rectal temperature (RT) and superficial temperature (ST) responses of gestating sows were taken during 8 periods at 3 days by 3 different hours per day. Environmental variables were taken using the same methodology. Bedding utilization has increased mean air temperature and enthalpy inside the facilities. Means of enthalpy showed values of 55.25kJ/kgdry air (shallow wood shavings bedding) and 52.88kJ/ kgdry air (concrete floor). However, rectal temperature has not changed doing the bedding system. On the other hand, the superficial temperature on the head showed higher when bedding treatment was applied compared back to concrete floor (34.47C and 33.947C, respectively). The superficial temperature of the shoulder, loin and ham have showed statistical significance (P<0.05) between bedding effect and housing systems, then, bedding showed higher values. The range of temperature for thermal comfort was changed since bedding was used. It was possible to conclude that for using bedding during summer time there is some disadvantages during gestation period for sows. However, this system should be analyzed in general, emphasizing alternative ways to minimize loss by heat stress at tropical conditions.