Thermo-acoustic environment of a pig farm facility with different superimposed bed materials

ABSTRACT

The objective of this work was to compare different bedding materials in swine production systems by evaluating noise and thermal environment indexes. The experiment was performed during June and July, in the finishing phase, in a pig farm facility using superimposed beds. Three treatments were compared superimposed beds comprised of shavings + sugarcane bagasse (S + B), superimposed bed comprised of sugarcane bagasse (BAG) and superimposed bed comprised of shavings (SHA); there was a concrete floor underneath all beds. Thermal comfort was evaluated by means of the black globe temperature (BGTI), temperature humidity index (THI), thermal radiation charge (TRC) and enthalpy (h) of the environment. The average noise level (dB) was also calculated. Significant differences between the BGHI means were observed between the evaluated treatments. The highest BGHI values occurred for treatment (S + B) in most time periods in relation to the other treatments. The lowest BGHI values were observed in the morning and evening, while the highest values occurred between 1100 am and 0300 pm. There was no significant difference between the treatments for the enthalpy values. The highest noise values were observed in treatment (SHA). However, in all treatments, noise remained below the levels recommended by the norm (NR- 15). The system with superimposed beds comprised by shavings provided highest thermal comfort for the animals in the finishing phase.