Etude sur les fluctuations de température relevées dans 25 compartiments de maternité et de post-sevrage

Temp. was measured for 7 days, every 20 min., in 20 farrowing houses and 5 weaning houses. The mean stocking rate in the farrowing houses was 70% and the air space per litter (1 sow and 8 piglets) 25 m. In the weaning houses the mean stocking density was 84% and the air space per piglet 1.3 m. Four different heating systems were used: radiators, floor heating, gas heaters and aerotherms. Artificial ventilation was provided in 88% of the compartments and natural ventilation in the others. The mean inside and outside temp. were 22 2 and 106C resp. A good estimate of the mean daily temp. was provided with only the min. and max. daily records. No more than one measurement per h was needed to assess the daily variations. The mean daily temp. range inside the buildings was 33C, ranging from 1 to 11C. The largest inside temp. variations were observed with high and fluctuating outside temp. On an hourly, daily or weekly basis, the outside temp. range was reduced by two thirds. This value can be used as a reference to judge the ability of the building and its equipment to maintain a constant inside temp.