Evaluation of an automated temperature control equipment for lactating sows

The present study aimed to develop and evaluate an automated cooling control system (ATCE) for sows in the farrowing phase. The experiment was conducted at the Swine Production Unit, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology, Campus Machado, Machado, state of Minas Gerais. Sixteen sows and their offspring were evaluated, eight treated and eight controls, in a randomized block design, with eight replications. Surface temperature, body temperature and respiratory rate of the animals were evaluated, in addition to floor temperature and performance parameters. The use of ATCE decreased the floor temperature (12h) and neck temperature (12 and 16h) (p < 0.10). In addition, there was a reduction in rectal temperature (12h) and respiratory rate (12 and 16h) in ATCE animals (p < 0.10). No significant differences were detected in the coefficient of variation (CV) of birth weight, but at weaning the CV of piglet weight was 26.3% lower in animals subjected to the ATCE (p = 0.079). Furthermore, the difference in CV between birth and weaning was also lower with the use of ATCE (p = 0.015). It can be concluded that the use of ATCE has a positive influence on the thermal comfort of females, in addition to improving litter uniformity.(AU)

Influence of fennel in Japanese quail diet over egg quality and behavior aspects / Influência da erva-doce na dieta de codornas japonesas sobre a qualidade dos ovos e aspectos comportamentais

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of Pimpinella anisum (fennel) on the performance, stress, and quality of Japanese Quail eggs in the second laying cycle (73 to 77 weeks). One hundred sixty-eight female quails from Japanese sub-species (Coturnix coturnix japonica) at 73 weeks of age, divided and submitted to four treatments (0; 250; 500 and 750mg of fennel/kg of feed) were used in a randomized block design. (RBD), with seven replications and six birds per experimental plot, totaling 28 plots. Performance, behavioral, and egg quality parameters were evaluated. Bird performance was not influenced (p>0.05) by the treatments tested. The highest egg weight and albumen weight were found in birds fed 750 mg of fennel, while a higher albumen height was observed for the estimated dose of 669 mg (p0.05). The tonic immobility test had a decreasing linear effect (p<0.05), which indicates a lower time in seconds in tonic immobility to birds receiving 750 mg of fennel. Fennel added to the diet did not interfere with performance, but it influenced essential parameters related to egg quality and was able to alter characteristics related to bird behavior.

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o efeito da Pimpinella anisum(erva-doce) sobre o desempenho, estresse e qualidade dos ovos de codornas japonesas no segundo ciclo de postura (73 a 77 semanas). Foram utilizadas 168 codornas fêmeas da subespécie japonesa (Coturnix coturnix japonica) com 73 semanas de idade, divididas e submetidas a quatro tratamentos (0; 250; 500 e 750mg de erva-doce/kg de ração), em delineamento em blocos casualizados (DBC), com sete repetições e seis aves por parcela experimental, totalizando 28 parcelas. Foram avaliados os parâmetros de desempenho, comportamentais e qualidade dos ovos. O desempenho das aves não foi influenciado (p>0,05) pelos tratamentos testados. O maior peso dos ovos e peso do albúmen foram encontrados nas aves alimentadas com 750 mg de erva-doce, enquanto a maior altura do albúmen foi observada pela dose estimada de 669 mg (p0,05). O Teste de imobilidade tônica teve efeito linear (p<0,05) decrescente, que indica um menor tempo em segundos em imobilidade tônica para as aves que receberam 750 mg de erva-doce. A erva-doce adicionada à dieta não interfere no desempenho, porém melhorou à qualidade dos ovos e foi capaz de alterar características relacionadas ao comportamento das aves.

Influence of fennel in Japanese quail diet over egg quality and behavior aspects / Influência da erva-doce na dieta de codornas japonesas sobre a qualidade dos ovos e aspectos comportamentais

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of Pimpinella anisum (fennel) on the performance, stress, and quality of Japanese Quail eggs in the second laying cycle (73 to 77 weeks). One hundred sixty-eight female quails from Japanese sub-species (Coturnix coturnix japonica) at 73 weeks of age, divided and submitted to four treatments (0; 250; 500 and 750mg of fennel/kg of feed) were used in a randomized block design. (RBD), with seven replications and six birds per experimental plot, totaling 28 plots. Performance, behavioral, and egg quality parameters were evaluated. Bird performance was not influenced (p>0.05) by the treatments tested. The highest egg weight and albumen weight were found in birds fed 750 mg of fennel, while a higher albumen height was observed for the estimated dose of 669 mg (p<0,05). The estimated doses of 554.09 mg, 634.10 mg, and 613.10 mg of fennel were efficient in reducing agitated behaviors by riding, pecking, and stirring, respectively. However, non-aggressive variables were not influenced by the addition of fennel to the diet (p>0.05). The tonic immobility test had a decreasing linear effect (p<0.05), which indicates a lower time in seconds in tonic immobility to birds receiving 750 mg of fennel. Fennel added to the diet did not interfere with performance, but it influenced essential parameters related to egg quality and was able to alter characteristics related to bird behavior.(AU)

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o efeito da Pimpinella anisum(erva-doce) sobre o desempenho, estresse e qualidade dos ovos de codornas japonesas no segundo ciclo de postura (73 a 77 semanas). Foram utilizadas 168 codornas fêmeas da subespécie japonesa (Coturnix coturnix japonica) com 73 semanas de idade, divididas e submetidas a quatro tratamentos (0; 250; 500 e 750mg de erva-doce/kg de ração), em delineamento em blocos casualizados (DBC), com sete repetições e seis aves por parcela experimental, totalizando 28 parcelas. Foram avaliados os parâmetros de desempenho, comportamentais e qualidade dos ovos. O desempenho das aves não foi influenciado (p>0,05) pelos tratamentos testados. O maior peso dos ovos e peso do albúmen foram encontrados nas aves alimentadas com 750 mg de erva-doce, enquanto a maior altura do albúmen foi observada pela dose estimada de 669 mg (p<0.05). As variáveis comportamentais agressivas foram consideradas diferentes entre os níveis analisados (p<0,05). As doses estimadas de 554,09 mg, 634,10 mg e 613,10 mg de erva-doce foram eficientes na redução dos comportamentos agitados montando, bicando e agitada, respectivamente. No entanto as variáveis não agressivas não foram influenciadas pela adição de erva-doce na dieta (p>0,05). O Teste de imobilidade tônica teve efeito linear (p<0,05) decrescente, que indica um menor tempo em segundos em imobilidade tônica para as aves que receberam 750 mg de erva-doce. A erva-doce adicionada à dieta não interfere no desempenho, porém melhorou à qualidade dos ovos e foi capaz de alterar características relacionadas ao comportamento das aves.(AU)