An experiment using 60 pigs (½ males and ½ females) was carried out to evaluate the effects of the type of pens floor on the performance and carcass traits of growing-finishing pigs (33 - 84 kg). The pigs were allotted to a randomized block design, with two treatments, tree or two pigs per experimental units (EU), 12 EU per treatment and 30 pigs per treatment. They were housed in pens of 8m² (2.0 x 4.0 m), allotted to two treatments: shallow pool and compact floor. In the treatment "Shallow Pool" the pens had a shallow pool locate in the back (0.80 m of width and ±10 cm of depth), which was kept with run water. In the treatment "Compact Floor" the same ones were kept empty and dry. Daily feed intake and daily weight gain was higher for the treatment with shallow pool in the growing phase, while the feed:gain ratio and the backfat thickness was not different. In finishing and in the total period of the experiment the animals did not show differences between treatments. The results suggest that rearing growing-finishing pigs either on shallow pool pens or compact floor pens, results in the same performance and carcass traits. Nevertheless, in the growing phase the shallow pool pens showed higher feed intake and weight gain.
environment; bioclimatology; carcass traits; building; shallow pool; pigs
