Evaluation of pig behavior changes related to temperature, relative humidity, volatile organic compounds, and illuminance

Abstract

The objective of this study was evaluation of pig behavior changes related to temperature, relative humidity, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and illuminance. A total of 24 growing pigs ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc) were used in the experiment. A sensor was installed at a height of 0.5 m in the center of the pig house. In experiment 1, temperature was changed every four days to 18℃ (T1), 22℃ (T2), 26℃ (T3), and then 30℃ (T4). In experiment 2, relative humidity was adjusted to 45% (low humidity [LH]), 60% (middle humidity [MH]), and then 75% (high humidity [HH]) for four days. In experiment 3, after cleaning the pig house just before experiment, only minimal ventilation was provided. VOCs and pig behaviors were observed for 7 days without cleaning the pig house. In experiment 4, three light bulbs of 40 W (470 lumens / 45 lx; low illuminance [LI]), 75 W (1,055 lumens / 103 lx; middle illuminance [MI]), and 100 W (1,521 lumens / 146 lx; high illuminance [HI]) were used for four days each. Pig behavior analysis was performed for following criteria : Feed intake, Standing, Lying, Sitting, Drink water, Rooting, Posture transition (lying-standing), Posture transition (standing-lying), Wallowing, and Biting. In experiment 1, feed intake time was lower (p < 0.05) for the T3 than other treatment groups. Standing time was highest (p < 0.05) for the T1 and lowest (p < 0.05) for the T3. Lying time was shorter (p < 0.05) in T1 and T2 compared to T3 and T4. Drinking frequency was higher (p < 0.05) for the T4 than other treatment groups. In experiment 2, the frequency of rooting and wallowing increased (p < 0.05) with increasing humidity. LH showed the lowest (p < 0.05) rooting frequency and HH showed the highest (p < 0.05) rooting frequency. In experiment 3, VOCs concentration did not (p > 0.05) change pig behavior. In experiment 4, lying time was the longest (p < 0.05) at LI and shortest (p < 0.05) at HI. Therefore, pig behavior is heavily influenced by the environment, especially temperature and humidity. However, correlation between pig behavior to VOCs and illuminance seems to be needed more research.

INTRODUCTION

The pig industry has expanded rapidly over the last century. The number of pigs one person can manage is limited, and the number of pigs per farm is steadily increasing. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is an indispensable element in matters such as growth performance, feed efficiency, breeding environment, disease, reproduction, and risk factors through limited human resources in the swine field. In the case of Korea, the introduction of ICT began in recent years [1]. The ICT technology is being applied in Korea to basic fields, for example, changes in temperature and humidity, fire detection in farms, and as real-time monitoring systems for feed bins in pig farms. However, the diversity and applications of ICT are limited compared to those in foreign countries.

In particular, studies on the environment (temperature, humidity, volatile organic compounds [VOCs], and illuminance) in the pig house and the corresponding pig behavior model are insufficient, and scientific research on pig house monitoring is required. In addition, there is a desperate need for research that can finally evaluate the reactivity of conductors by applying an ICT-based integrated control system based on the dynamics of reliable internal environmental variables in the pig house to properly utilize the sensing base construction information. Most farms using ICT in Korea have installed and operated environmental sensors, closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs), and specification management devices, but the technology to use the data obtained from these devices is lacking. Recently, technology was developed in the United States to measure the status of pigs in real-time by combining video analysis technology with images obtained in real-time. The digitization process that incorporate systems, software, devices, standard operating procedures, analytics, and communications is developing in the swine sector and will upgrade production efficiency, health, and welfare on farms under the quality standards that modern production requires [2]. Even now, in smart farming systems, farmers can monitor and management remotely, on the basis of real-time digital information instead direct observation and manual tasks on-site [3].

Therefore, the purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the behavioral changes in pigs according to temperature, humidity, VOCs, and illuminance inside the pig house.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experimental protocol for the four experiments was approved (CBNUA-1445-20-01) by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea.

Animals and housing

A total of 24 growing pigs ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc) were used in the experimental period between April 2020 and May 2020 at the Chungbuk National University farm. The room space was 96m² and consisted of six pens, with four pigs per pen. All experiments were conducted in the same room. A sensor (IOT Sensor Monitoring Emailer, WIZ BASE, Seoul, Korea) was installed at a height of 0.5 m in the center of the pig house to measure temperature, relative humidity, and VOCs every 10 minutes. All pigs were fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet that satisfied the nutrient requirements recommended by the National Research Council [4] and had free access to water and feed.

Experimental design and management

In experiment 1, the temperature of the room was arbitrarily adjusted to examine the changes in pig behavior according to temperature. The experiment was conducted over 16 days, and the temperature was changed every four days to 18℃ (T1), 22℃ (T2), 26℃ (T3), and then 30℃ (T4). After the temperature change, an adaptation period of three days was provided, the behavioral changes was observed for 24 h. The temperature was set using a heating device inside the pig house. Other environmental conditions except temperature remained constant (relative humidity, 50%; VOCs, 42ppb; 470 lumens [45 lx]).

In experiment 2, the relative humidity of the room was arbitrarily adjusted to observe changes in the behavior of pigs according to the relative humidity. The experiment was conducted over 12 days, and a humidifier (SGM-L124, Geek Aire, Beijing, China) was installed in the pig house to adjust the humidity. The relative humidity was adjusted to 45% (low humidity [LH]), 60% (middle humidity [MH]), and then 75% (high humidity [HH]) for four days. After the humidity change, an adaptation period of three days was provided, and the behavioral changes observed for 24 h. Other environmental conditions except humidity remained constant (temperature, 22℃; VOCs, 43ppb; 470 lumens [45 lx]).

In experiment 3, the concentration of VOCs was gradually increased to determine the behavioral changes of pigs according to VOCs in the pig house. The experiment was conducted for a total of seven days, and after cleaning the pig house just before the start of the experiment, 15 kg of sawdust was placed on the floor of each pen. After that, only minimal ventilation was provided, and pig behavior was observed for seven days without cleaning the pig houses. Other environmental conditions remained constant (temperature, 22℃; relative humidity, 50%; 470 lumens [45 lx]).

In experiment 4, the illuminance of the room was arbitrarily adjusted to observe changes in the behavior of pigs according to illuminance. The experiment was conducted for a total of 12 days. Total of 12 incandescent bulbs (EZenlight, Daegu, Korea) were installed on the ceiling of a 96 m² pig house, and three light bulbs of 40 W (470 lumens / 45 lx; low illuminance [LI]), 75 W (1, 055 lumens / 103 lx; middle illuminance), and 100 W (1, 521 lumens / 146 lx; high illuminance [HI]) were used for four days each. The lights were arranged to generate an even distribution of illumination across all sections. After the illuminance change, an adaptation period of three days was provided, and the behavioral changes was observed for 24 h. Other environmental conditions remained constant (temperature, 22℃ ; relative humidity, 50%; VOCs, 42ppb).

Analysis

Pig behavior

Image data collection for each pig was recorded using six day/night infrared cameras (QNB- 7080 RH, Hanwha, Seoul, Korea) installed 3 m above each pen. Two pigs were randomly selected per pen, and a total of 12 pigs were behaviorally analyzed. The observer collected data based on research of Yang et al. [5] and one observer performed all observations and video analysis to ensure consistent results. Pig behavior analysis was performed for the following criteria (Fig. 1): A, Feed intake: the act of eating with the head in a feed bin, or similar behavior; B, Standing: the act of standing still without any other action, with the forelimbs and hind legs stretched perpendicularly to the floor or similar behavior; C, Lying: the act of lying in the most comfortable position with the head, front legs, back legs, and abdomen touching the floor or similar behavior; D, Sitting: two front legs straight to the floor, two rear legs and hips sitting in contact with the floor or similar behavior; E, Drink water: the act of drinking water for about 10 seconds by putting the mouth to a drinking nipple where water comes out or similar behavior; F, Rooting: the act of repeatedly scratching the floor using the nose and forelegs as if there was something on the floor or to relieve itching or similar behavior; G, Posture transition (lying-standing): the act of changing from lying down to standing up, an act that occurs when the two front legs are extended first, and the back legs are naturally extended; H, Posture transition (standing-lying): the act of changing from standing up to lying down, the act of bending the two front legs to the floor first, and then lying down naturally with the two back legs folded; I, Wallowing: the act of laying with the back on sawdust, puddles or feces, and rolling around; J, Biting: the act of biting another pig’s ear, mouth, or tail with its teeth, and then biting it again or similar behavior.

Fig. 1. Classification of pig behavior changes. (A) Feed intake, (B) Standing, (C) Lying, (D) Sitting, (E) Drink water, (F) Rooting, (G) Posture transition (lying-standing), (H) Posture transition (standing-lying), (I) Wallowing, (J) Biting.

Temperature and relative humidity

Air temperature and relative humidity were measured at the center of the pig house by thermometers linked to a computer-based data-logging system. The thermometer was calibrated in the air prior to testing so the temperature calculations and relative humidity were considered precise to within ± 0.1℃ and ± 1.5%, respectively. During the experimental period, the data-logger automatically recorded temperature and relative humidity every 10 minutes.

Volatile organic compounds

VOCs in the pig house were measured using a photoionization detector (PID) attached to the sensor. The PID was calculated by intaking gas from the target of the measurement and releasing ultraviolet light into the measured gas to obtain the detection current proportional to the concentration of the VOCs by ionizing it according to the physical properties of the gas and collecting the ion into the electrodes. The types of VOCs measured were gases with an ionization potential that was less than the energy of ultraviolet rays, such as benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, methylethylketone, acetaldehyde, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, mercaptan, and diethylamine.

Illuminance

The illuminance intensity was measured using an illuminometer (TES-1330A, TES, Taipei, Taiwan) at a certain time every day for the 12 days of the experiment. Measurements were taken at the pig’s eye-height and oriented horizontally with the detector facing upward in the center of the section, with the prior establishment that no light spilled from the adjoining segment. The light was measured using the multi-point method approved by the Korea Industrial Standards Association (Fig. 2) [6].

E = 1i∑Emi (Eq. 1)[6]

Fig. 2. Location of illuminance measurement by the multiple-point method of the Korean Standards [6].

Statistical analysis

The correlation of pig behavior indices and environmental factors was statistically analyzed by the generalized linear model using IBM SPSS statistics v.25 (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). The difference between the treatment groups was determined using Tukey’s honest significance difference test with a significant p-value of less than 0.05.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The effects of temperature on pig behavior changes of experiment 1 are shown in Table 1. Feed intake time was lower (p < 0.05) for the T3 than other treatment groups. Standing time was the longest (p < 0.05) in T1 and the shortest in T4, but there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between T4 and T3. Lying time was shorter (p < 0.05) in T1 and T2 compared to T3 and T4, and there was no significant difference between T1 and T2, and T3 and T4. Drinking frequency increased (p < 0.05) as the temperature increased and was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in T4. As the temperature increased, the number of wallowing and biting events also increased. Other behaviors were not affected (p > 0.05) by temperature changes. In this experiment, high temperatures resulted in reduced feed intake time. This was consistent with previous research reporting that high temperatures reduced feed intake [7,8]. This behavior seems to reduce the amount of heat generated by voluntarily limiting feed intake to reduce the metabolic heat generated by the pigs during digestion. In addition, as the temperature increased, the standing time decreased, the lying time increased, and the biting frequency increased. This was because, as Olczak et al. [9] reported, when the environment is poor, pigs prefer to rest. If the temperature is too high, pigs try to move to a cool place to lie down without contacting other pigs. However, if pigs cannot move, this makes the pig irritable and increases aggression. In the case of wallowing, there were positive correlations between the intensity of wallowing and temperature [10]. Wallowing in the mud is very effective and can decrease body temperature by 2℃ [11]. Also, Huynh et al. [10] reported that as the temperature rose by one degree, the pig’s wallowing increased by 1.2%. This was because heat exchange within the environment depends upon skin contact from rubbing against mud. However, in pig house puddle is limited so pigs start lying down and wallowing in their own fecal [12–14]. In the case of drinking frequency, it seems that the drinking frequency of pigs is relatively increased as the amount of water required for the body, such as to control body temperature, moisture evaporating from the body, and the maintenance of blood homeostasis at high temperatures, increases.

Table 1. Effects of temperature on pig behavior

Six replicate pens per treatment, two pigs per pen.

^a–cMeans in the same row with different superscripts differ (p < 0.05).

T1, set temperature (18℃)/actual temperature (17.8 ± 0.4℃); T2, set temperature (22℃)/actual temperature (21.7 ± 0.3℃); T3, set temperature (26℃)/actual temperature (25.9 ± 0.2℃); T4, set temperature (30℃)/actual temperature (29.6 ± 0.3℃)

The effects of humidity on pig behavior changes of experiment 2 are shown in Table 2. The frequency of rooting and wallowing increased (p < 0.05) with increasing humidity. LH showed the lowest (p < 0.05) rooting frequency and HH showed the highest (p < 0.05) rooting frequency. Other behaviors were not affected (p > 0.05) by humidity changes. Similar to this experiment, Olczak et al. [9] reported that rooting increased at HH. In the case of wallowing, positive correlations between humidity and wallowing were reported in a previous study [10]. Huynh et al. [10] reported that as the humidity increased, the pigs began to wallow at lower temperatures. It seems that as the humidity increases, also the moisture in the sawdust increases so HH cause the number of wallowing increases.

Table 2. Effects of humidity on pig behavior

Six replicate pens per treatment, two pigs per pen.

^a–cMeans in the same row with different superscripts differ (p < 0.05).

LH, low humidity, set relative humidity (45%)/actual relative humidity (44.8 ± 0.3%); MH, middle humidity, set relative humidity (60%)/actual relative humidity (60.8 ± 0.2%); HH, high humidity, set relative humidity (75%)/actual relative humidity (74.9 ± 0.3%)

The effects of VOCs on pig behavior changes of experiment 3 are shown in Table 3. In this experiment, the VOCs concentrations did not (p > 0.05) change pig behavior. There is relatively little information about pigs’ reactions to airborne pollutants [15]. The pig’s response to the environment is complex and it is difficult to assess the importance and impact of individual pollutants in the environment [16]. In addition, it has been reported that harmful substances such as ammonia adversely affect the health of pigs. However, since the effect of VOCs on pig behavior has not been reported, further research is needed.

Table 3. Effects of VOCs on pig behavior

Six replicate pens per treatment, two pigs per pen.

VOCs, volatile organic compounds; Day 1, VOCs (39.4 ± 1.5 ppb); Day 2, VOCs (60.2 ± 1.4 ppb); Day 3, VOCs (130.4 ± 2.1 ppb); Day 4, VOCs (146.9 ± 4.0 ppb); Day 5, VOCs (272.5 ± 17.4 ppb); Day 6, VOCs (480.5 ± 21.8 ppb); Day 7, VOCs (738.9 ± 29.3 ppb).

The effects of illuminance on pig behavior changes of experiment 4 are shown in Table 4. Lying time was the longest (p < 0.05) at LI and shortest at HI (p < 0.05). Illuminance did not affect (p > 0.05) pig behavior other than the lying time. This is consistent with the results of Taylor et al. [17]. In Taylor’s [17] research pigs spent longest time in dimmest illuminance (2.4 lx) and spent least time in the brightest illuminance (400 lx) [17]. These results indicate that pigs show a strong preference for inactivity while in low-illuminated conditions. Thus, pigs take longer rest time in low-illuminated conditions. However, studies on the relationship between illuminance and pig behavior are extremely rare, and more research is needed.

Table 4. Effects of illuminance on pig behavior

Six replicate pens per treatment, two pigs per pen.

^a–cMeans in the same row with different superscripts differ (p < 0.05).

LI, low illuminance (470 lumens/45 lx); MI, middle illuminance (1,055 lumens/103 lx), HI, high illuminance (1,521 lumens/146 lx)

CONCLUSION

Pig behavior is heavily influenced by the environment, especially temperature and humidity. More research is needed on the correlation between the environment and pig behavior for a highly efficient pig farming industry applying ICT.