The Effect of Pen Colour and Increased Photoperiod on Performance of Weaned Gilts

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of colour and increased photoperiod on performance, rectal and body temperature of weaned gilts. Forty cross bred (largewhite x landrace) weaned gilts at 8 weeks with an average weight of 7.70 kg ± 0.07 kg were randomly allotted into four housing colours consisting of a control; (T1: grey colour and normal day length (12 h), while T2, T3 and T4 contained red, blue and green coloured housing, respectively with increased photoperiods of 12, 15 and 18 h. Each treatment was replicated four times. The experimental design was 3x4 factorial arrangements in a completely randomised design. Feed intake and body weight gain were measured weekly throughout the 8 weeks of the experiment. The main effect of pen colour showed that there were significant variations (P<0.05) for final weight of weaned gilt with values ranging from 14.15 ± 0.34 kg (T3) to 18.18 ± 1.46 kg (T2). The same was observed for average weight gain per week (0.91 ± 0.05 kg to 1.48 ± 0.21 kg) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) 2.65 ± 0.26 to 3.49 ± 0.17, respectively. The main effect of photoperiod has significant difference in the final weight, with weaned gilts in 12 h having the highest value of (17.00 ± 0.95 kg) compared to those that were under 15 h (14.82 ± 0.66 kg) and 18 h (13.88 ± 0.26 kg) of lighting. The results also showed that there are significant differences in the average body and rectal temperature across the treatments with the values ranging from the least 37.08±0.19°C (T1) to highest 37.74 ± 0.20°C (T2) and rectal temperature 39.25 ± 0.11°C (T4) to 39.62 ± 0.08°C (T3), respectively. It was observed that gilts in the T3 had the lowest respiratory rate value of 39.80 ± 1.01 breaths/minute while the T1 had the highest value of 42.10 ± 1.86 breaths/minute. It can be concluded from this study that pen colour has an effect on the performance attributes of weaned gilts and increasing the photoperiod will not result in better performance hence, 12 h of lighting is sufficient for increased weight gain in weaned gilts.