EFEITOS DA ORDEM DE PARTO E DO ESTÁGIO DE LACTAÇÃO SOBRE O DESEMPENHO DE PORCAS HÍBRIDAS MANTIDAS EM AMBIENTE QUENTE

Abstract

Thirty-six females (of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and ¿ 4th partum order) were used, and evaluated at four stages of lactation (equalization, 7th and 14th day of lactation, and at weaning) to verify the effects that partum order and lactation stage had on the performance of hybrid swine sows maintained in a hot environment (room temperature at 28.5ºC; black globe temperature at 29.3ºC; relative air humidity at 75.7% and ITGU calculated at 78.9). Interaction among the factors was observed for food consumption, and the primiparas consumed less. The sows presented differences (P<0,05) in performance (corporal weight, bacon thickness, visual corporal score, corporal composition and tissue) according to partum order, without effect on the weaning-estrus interval or the duration of the estrus. The lactation stage had a negative influence on weight and estimated corporal protein. This study concluded that hybrid swine sows maintained satisfactory performance, and that primiparous sows were more sensitive to hot environments.