The objective of this study was to evaluate the environmental thermal conditions of different maternity hut covering materials, in the summer period through the following treatments: 1) maternity hut with polystyrene fecula covering 2) maternity hut with isolation of aluminum covering 3) maternity hut with screen and grass covering 4) maternity hut with canvas and grass covering 5) outdoor environment 6) under shade a tree. The six treatments were arranged in a randomized split-plot design where the six treatments were in the plot with five schedules hours in the subplots and three replicates. Sow lactantes Landrace x Large White were alloted at random considering farrowing order. Relative Humidity Air (RH), Air Speed, and Environmental Temperature (Te) data were determined and Black Globe Humidity Index (BGHI) and the Radiant Thermic Load (RTL) were calculated. The materials used as maternity hut covering improved the animal thermal comfort but they were not enough to assist ideal conditions for thermal comfort.
outdoor pig production system; thermal comfort; welfare
