| Swine productivity, reproductivity, and well-being are reduced during periods of high temperature and the most commonly used cooling method, evaporative cooling, is not very effective under high humidity conditions. Conductive cooling pads made from pipes with cool water passing through them have the potential to cool swine under both high temperature and high humidity conditions. A study was conducted to determine some responses of gilts to conductive cooling pads under heat stress conditions. Conductive cooling pads 15 cm wide by 127 cm long were made from 13 mm diameter copper pipe and were fastened to the slatted flooring of a standard sow stall. The size and placement of the pads was such that the gilts could lie on them completely, lie on them... |
