The objective of this research was to evaluate the behavior of piglets in different heating systems using the image analysis and geostatistics. This research was developed in a farrowing house, with 80 piglets between birth and weaning. The treatments were different heating systems: heat mat, standard heat lamp, electric resistance and infrared lamp. The climatic data were taken inside and outside the farrowing house and inside each studied creep, during two periods of 19 days long. The statistical design of the experiment was a randomized block with four treatments and 18 blocks. A Tukey test with 1% of probability was performed to compare the results averages. The average values of dry bulb temperature showed that the environment with heat mat presented a lesser temperature in the generated microclimate, followed by the standard heat lamp, electric resistance and infrared lamp. The three first treatments were recommended for better comforting for the piglets in the farrowing house. The behavior of the piglets was evaluated using the image analysis, and indicated that the best treatment was the heat mat as in the exchanges of sensible heat for conduction (contact), promoting better condition of comfort to the animals.
animal behavior; thermal comfort; swine production
