Research On The Development And Application Of The Intelligent Heating System For Piglets In The Farrowing House

Because of sows and piglets own thermoregulatory mechanisms(different sows appropriate growth environment temperature of 16～26℃,and the piglets environmental temperature is 32～34℃),therefore,to meet the demand of sows and piglets temperature at the same time,the modern farm labor environment regulation and usually sets the environment to meet the sow optimum temperature,local heating for the piglets.However,the current piglet heating equipment cannot meet the thermal area requirements of the newly born piglets(12 piglets)due to the uneven heating area or temperature distribution.In order to avoid cold stress,piglets warm close to sows,during which the mortality rate of piglets is more than 50%.Therefore,the piglet heating equipment needs to be able to provide the appropriate temperature and sufficient heating area for different number and age of piglets with low energy consumption.This research has carried out a series of studies centering on the improvement of the survival rate of weaned piglets,and has developed an Intelligent Piglet Heater(Iheat)that can significantly increase the survival rate of piglets.This device has great significance to reduce the cost of pig breeding and improve animal welfare.(1)Considering the factors affecting piglets’ lying area,a correlation model between piglets’ lying area and piglets’ body weight was established in this study,and the minimum area of piglets’ lying area was determined.Since the demand of piglets for lying area in Suckling period is related to piglets’ lying position,utilization rate,piglets’ size and number,the correlation model of piglets’ lying area with weight and height was established by allometric growth formula,and the relationship between piglets’ lying position,utilization rate of insulation area and age was analyzed.Finally,considering all the influencing factors,the optimal area of lying area for the whole lactation day of 12 piglets was determined to be 0.37m2,which could be used as the basis for the design of heating area of insulation equipment for piglets.(2)An intelligent heating system adapted to different growth stages of piglets was constructed.Firstly,according to the optimal heating area of piglets,combined with thermal radiation simulation,the heating lamp power and the adjus Tab bracket movement range of the carbon fiber heater were determined to ensure the heating area and stability of the heating area.Then,considering the different temperature requirements of piglets from weaning to 21 days of age,an intelligent control system of carbon fiber heater was constructed.The system could monitor the temperature in the heating zone and adjust the temperature threshold in real time to control the temperature within the range of ±0.3℃of the actual required temperature.Finally,the service life and actual heating area of the carbon fiber heater were determined through pressure and vibration experiments.(3)The practical performance of carbon fiber heater and traditional heat preservation lamp was studied.In this study,a control experiment(carbon fiber heater + supplementary light lamp,carbon fiber heater,thermal insulation lamp)was constructed to study the heating effect,energy consumption and the influence of different equipment on the survival rate of piglets under the actual production environment.Sows heated with carbon fiber were more likely to lie with their abdomens facing the heating area.Compared with heat preservation lamp,Iheat can increase the utilization efficiency of heating zone by4.1% in piglets,and Iheat + supplemental light can increase the utilization efficiency of heating zone by 7.1% on average in piglets.The average activity ratio of piglets at 1-3days of age within 8cm of sows’ body accounted for 48.6%,and the above ratio could be reduced by 5.6% in the control group with light supplement.During the whole feeding cycle,the power consumption of the carbon fiber heater is 42.69% lower than that of the traditional heat preservation lamp.Therefore,the use of carbon fiber heaters(with supplemental lights)can significantly reduce the probability of piglets being killed by sows,reduce operating costs and increase the actual profitability of the pig farm.