In conclusion, ambient temperature has a large effect
on the respiration rate, surface temperatures, and use
of colder pen areas for lateral lying, whereas RT were
rather unaffected, reflecting successful thermoregulation
in loose-housed sows kept between 15°C and 25°C. The
difference between floor heating duration of 12 or 48 h
was minor, including increased respiration rate and less
belly lying on d 1 at floor heating duration of 48 h. The
risk of sow medication was influenced by an interaction
between room temperature and floor heating duration.
Feed intake was transiently reduced after farrowing but
was later compensated, whereas water consumption was
greater both prefarrowing and during the last part of the
lactation period in sows at 25°C. We found no evidence
of thermal effects on birth problems or on long-term
performance in the loose-housed sows.