Study Reveals How Light Intensity and Mat Temperature Improve Piglet Safety in Farrowing Pens

In a groundbreaking study, researchers have identified that higher light intensity and optimal mat temperatures in farrowing pens can significantly reduce piglet pre-weaning mortality. The research, led by experts from the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney, and Murdoch University, sheds light on how these environmental factors influence piglet behaviour, particularly in creep areas designed to protect piglets from being crushed by the sow.

The Importance of Farrowing Pen Design

As the pork industry increasingly adopts loose farrowing pens to enhance sow welfare, there is a growing concern about piglet safety. Traditional farrowing crates, while restrictive, are known to reduce piglet mortality by preventing the sow from crushing the offspring. However, loose farrowing pens, which provide sows with more freedom, pose a higher risk of piglet mortality due to the increased likelihood of crushing.

Key Findings: Light Intensity and Mat Temperature Impacts Piglet Pre-weaning Mortality

The study involved 108 sows and their litters, monitored in a commercial piggery across two replicates. The sows were randomly assigned to pens with two light treatments: bright creeps (300 lx) and dark creeps (4 lx). The researchers also measured mat temperatures as a crucial factor in the study.

          1. Bright Light Attracts Piglets to Creep Areas:

• Piglets in pens with bright creeps spent 7.2% more time in the creep areas than those in dark creeps, indicating that higher light intensity effectively draws piglets to these safer zones.
• Brightly lit creep areas were associated with reduced time spent by piglets in the potentially hazardous areas of the pen, decreasing the risk of being crushed by the sow.

          2. Warmer Mats Increase Piglet Safety:

• For each degree increase in mat temperature, piglets spent 2.1% more time in the creep areas. This finding underscores the importance of maintaining optimal mat temperatures to encourage piglet use of safe zones.
• During the study, mat temperatures varied significantly across different pens, even within the same farrowing room. Despite this variability, warmer mats consistently attracted more piglets to the creep area, avoiding crushing.

          3. Piglet Behavioral Patterns and Safety:

• Although piglets in bright creeps took slightly longer to enter the creep for the first time after birth, they tended to remain clustered in these areas sooner, enhancing their overall safety.

Implications for the Pork Industry

This study’s findings are crucial for the pork industry as they highlight the importance of optimizing environmental factors in farrowing pens to improve piglet welfare. By adjusting light intensity and mat temperatures, pig farmers can significantly reduce the risk of piglet mortality, particularly in systems designed to enhance sow welfare.

The research provides valuable insights into how light intensity and mat temperature can be strategically managed to promote piglet safety in farrowing pens. As the industry prioritizes animal welfare, these findings offer practical solutions to reduce piglet pre-weaning mortality, ensuring a healthier and more sustainable swine production system.

How IHT Group is Addressing These Challenges

At IHT Group, we understand the challenges that swine producers face in providing the best care for their piglets while also managing costs and energy consumption. This understanding has led us to develop innovative solutions like IHT Lighting and Hog Hearth Heat Mats.

IHT Lighting:

Our advanced lighting systems, such as the LED Jelly Jar, create optimal conditions in farrowing barns. By offering energy-efficient lighting solutions, we help producers reduce energy costs while ensuring the barn environment supports piglet activity and welfare.

Hog Hearth Heat Mats:

Developed with the needs of both piglets and producers in mind, our Hog Hearth Heat Mats provide consistent, bottom-up heat distribution that promotes better comfort and growth for piglets. These mats are energy-efficient and durable, offering significant cost savings over time compared to traditional heat lamps. By choosing Hog Hearth Heat Mats, producers can ensure their piglets remain warm and safe while minimizing energy use and reducing their environmental impact.

Incorporating IHT Lighting and Hog Hearth Heat Mats into farrowing pens improves piglet welfare, boosts productivity, and enhances sustainability. At IHT Group, we remain committed to being a trusted partner to swine producers, providing cutting-edge solutions that meet the industry’s evolving needs.