Zone Heating for Wean-to-Finish Facilities: A Performance Comparison

Authors

Rick R. Stowell, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

5-3-2004

Citation

Research Report. NPB #02-194

Comments

Used by permission.

Abstract

Farm research trials were conducted in 2003 and 2004 to assess the effects of the type of zone heater and floor mat used in a wean-to-finish building on the thermal environment created for newly weaned pigs and resulting pig performance. Modulated LP gas-fired brooder heaters were compared to electric heat lamps, and floor mats made from farm-cut wood sheathing (3/8” oriented-strand board, OSB) were compared to commercial [unheated] rubber mats in a replicated 2x2 factorial experiment. No consistent differences in air temperature near the heating zone were found between either of the treatments, with treatment means within 1^oF of each other in both trials. In pens having modulated gas-fired heaters, black-globe temperatures just outside the heating zone were consistently warmer (+2-2.5^oF, P<0.05) than in pens with heat lamps. Black-globe temperatures were also warmer in pens with OSB mats (+0.5-2^oF) than in pens with rubber floor mats. Conversely, the temperature of exposed mat surface area was warmer (93.9^oF vs. 86.3^oF on average, P<0.001) under the heat lamps than under the brooders. However, no significant difference was found in pig dorsal surface temperature. There was some evidence (P<0.10) that the temperatures of exposed mat surface areas were slightly warmer with rubber mats than with OSB sheathing (91.4^oF vs. 88.9^oF), but no corresponding difference in pig surface temperatures was found.

Overall, no statistically significant treatment differences in pig performance were found at the end of the zone-heating periods. Slightly higher rates of gain during the first week were found in pens using modulated gas-fired brooders than with heat lamps, but this advantage was not sustained. Time-lapse video footage helped document pig activity, but any differences that may have existed in pig activity did not noticeably influence performance. Daily energy consumption rates averaged 0.025 gal/pig/d for the LP gas-fired brooders and 0.40 kWh/pig/d for the electric heat lamps. For electricity prices ranging from 6 to 12 ¢/kWh and LP gas prices of $0.70-1.40/gal, annualized equipment & operating costs varied from $1.26 to $2.26 per pig place for electric heat lamps and $2.26 to $3.00 for the gas-fired brooders. Unless gas prices are low relative to electric rates, or some other financial benefit is obtained by using gas-fired brooders, heat lamps would appear to have an economic advantage for producers due to their lower unit fixed cost in equipment.