Broiler productivity is dependent on a range of variables; among them, the rearing environment is a significant factor for proper well-being and productivity. Behavior indicates the bird’s initial response to an adverse environment and is capable of providing an indicator of well-being in real-time. The present study aims to identify and characterize the sequential pattern of broilers’ behavior when exposed to thermoneutral conditions (TNZ) and thermal stress (HS) by constant heat. The research was carried out in a climatic chamber with 18 broilers under thermoneutral conditions and heat stress for three consecutive days (at three different ages). The behavior database was first analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Tukey test by age, and Boxplot graphs, and then the sequence of the behaviors was evaluated using the generalized sequential pattern (GSP) algorithm. We were able to predict behavioral patterns at the different temperatures assessed from the behavioral sequences. Birds in HS were prostrate, identified by the shorter behavioral sequence, such as the {Lying down, Eating} pattern, unlike TNZ ({Lying down, Walking, Drinking, Walking, Lying down}), which indicates a tendency to increase behaviors (feeding and locomotor activities) that guarantee the better welfare of the birds. The sequence of behaviors ‘Lying down’ followed by ‘Lying laterally’ occurred only in HS, which represents a stressful thermal environment for the bird. Using the pattern mining sequences approach, we were able to identify temporal relationships between thermal stress and broiler behavior, confirming the need for further studies on the use of temporal behavior sequences in environmental controllers.

This study evaluated: (1) the vulnerability of broiler houses with different cooling systems, and (2) the spatial distribution of environmental variables during hot days. Four potentially vulnerable commercial broiler houses in southern Brazil were selected according to the following parameters: absence or presence of different cooling systems, broilers older than 28 days, and outside air dry-bulb temperature over 30°C. Broiler house vulnerability was classified according to the cooling and mechanical ventilation system: cellulose pad cooling (CPC), sprinkling (SPK), fogging (FOG), and mechanical ventilation without evaporative cooling system (VTL). The air dry-bulb temperature (Tdb, °C) and relative humidity (RH, %) were recorded every 10 min. For each broiler house, we evaluated: (1) relative cooling efficiency (RCE) and (2) inside spatial distribution of microclimate variables using a geostatistical technique. The CPC and SPK did not differ (P<0.05) in RCE (81.6% and 80.7%, respectively), but both differed from FOG (23.8%) and VLT (1.87%) systems. The highest variations in indoor Tdb were recorded in the FOG (7 °C), followed by the SPK (4 °C) and CPC (3 °C). In the CPC, there was an increase in RH from the middle to the end of the broiler house near the exhaust fans. In conclusion, the relative cooling efficiency and the inside spatial distributions of environmental variables in the broiler houses were influenced by the existing cooling system.

The objective of this study was to evaluate a growth model applied to adjust nutritional programs for growing and finishing pigs, in a commercial production context. The phase I (calibration) was conducted in a commercial pig production unit. The data were collected from a nutritional program, a feed program, and an animal profile. In experimental phase II, these data were entered in the InraPorc^® model for simulations and to propose adjustments to the commercial nutritional program. Afterwards, the conventional nutritional program (CNP) and the adjusted nutritional program (ANP) were compared with InraPorc^® simulation. Animal profile was collected by weighing 30% of pigs per stall and monitoring their feed intake in each stage. Four hundred and thirty-two pigs with an average initial body weight of 21.9 kg were used in a completely randomized design. There were no differences between treatments, the pig performance was affected by temperature conditions, and the fat thickness was 8% higher for CNP than ANP. In conclusion, the model has advantages to adjust growing and finishing pig nutrition programs and improve environmental and economic aspects.

The objective of this study was to evaluate carcass characteristics and meat quality of surgically castrated and immunocastrated male pigs. Data were collected from 24 surgically castrated pigs and 24 immunocastrated male entire originating from the commercial line (Agroceres x Topigs), receiving isonutritive diets and were housed in the same experimental shed, slaughtered at 177 days old, with a slaughter weight of 127.8 (± 6.5) and 135.1 (± 7.8) kg, respectively. Carcass and meat quality characteristics such as carcass yield, lean meat yield, fat content, backfat thickness, muscle depth, pH, meat coloring and, drip, thawing and cooking loss, were evaluated. Immunocastrated pigs have heavier carcass, higher meat yield and lower fat thickness when compared to surgically castrated animals. Regarding meat quality, the immunocastrated presented a lighter meat, less reddness and less water holding capacity. In conclusion, this study confirmed that the carcass of male pigs, submitted immunocastration, has lower yield, however, more meat and less fat content, when compared to carcass of male pigs surgically castrated. Meat quality showed peculiar characteristics for immunocastrated pigs, and can be used more for sausage production, since it retains less water and have smaller redness color compared to surgically castrated pigs.

The hatchery is one of the most important segments of the poultry chain, and generates an abundance of data, which, when analyzed, allow for identifying critical points of the process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of the data mining technique to databases of egg incubation of broiler breeders and laying hen breeders. The study uses a database recording egg incubation from broiler breeders housed in pens with shavings used for litters in natural mating, as well as laying hen breeders housed in cages using an artificial insemination mating system. The data mining technique (DM) was applied to analyses in a classification task, using the type of breeder and house system for delineating classes. The database was analyzed in three different ways: original database, attribute selection, and expert analysis. Models were selected on the basis of model precision and class accuracy. The data mining technique allowed for the classification of hatchery fertile eggs from different genetic groups, as well as hatching rates and the percentage of fertile eggs (the attributes with the greatest classification power). Broiler breeders showed higher fertility (> 95 %), but higher embryonic mortality between the third and seventh day post-hatching (> 0.5 %) when compared to laying hen breeders' eggs. In conclusion, applying data mining to the hatchery process, selection of attributes and strategies based on the experience of experts can improve model performance.

Context: An adequate management of water use is essential in agricultural systems, including pig farming. Reducing the water footprint is important to preserve this natural resource, although there is limited qualitative information about water intake and water intake behaviour, especially in immunocastrated pigs. Aim: The objective of this study was to compare water disappearance, and estimate wasted water and water intake behaviour for immunocastrated and surgically castrated male pigs. Methods: Twenty-four surgically castrated male pigs and 24 entire male pigs submitted to immunocastration were used, with an average initial weight of 29.3 kg (±1.9 kg) and an age of 75 days. The pigs were housed in a growing–finishing facility with 24 pens and two animals per pen; each pen was equipped with a semi-automatic feeder and a bite-ball drinker with a water meter. The disappearance of water was measured by collecting the values of the water meters on a daily basis, and the water intake behaviour was determined by collecting the values of the water meters per hour. Water input and output values were estimated, and wasted water was calculated by subtracting the input from the output value. Key results: The weekly average water disappearance for surgically castrated males was higher (P < 0.05) than that for immunocastrated males, except in the last 2 weeks of the experimental period; the same was observed when expressed based on weight. Castrated animals also wasted 21.4% more water than immunocastrated animals. Regarding the water consumption profile, there were no differences between the two groups; water consumption was higher in the afternoon. The lower water disappearance in immunocastrated pigs was due to the increase in feed intake after the second dose of the immunocastration vaccine and to the lower amounts of waste because of less aggressive behaviour. Conclusion: Immunocastrated male pigs have a smaller water footprint, but a similar water intake behaviour compared with surgically castrated animals. Implications: Knowledge of the profile of water intake and a way to estimate water waste allows more efficient and sustainable management of water resources in pig production systems.