Environmental management and handling before and during commercial transportation of pigs

The objective of this study was to manage the microenvironment inside trailer and handling of pigs in commercial setting to reduce transportation losses. Industries follow guidelines for the management of transportation. The main aim of this study was to make the guidelines more science based and reduce transport losses. Four studies were conducted to understand effect on transport losses while using different bedding levels in different seasons, change in temperature and relative humidity in compartments of the trailers during loading and transit, pigs' response to acute change in air temperature, and effect on pig welfare using ramp and elevator to load and unload pigs. During cold and mild season there was no any benefit of using extra amount of bedding in trailers while transporting pigs whereas, during warm season, extra amount of bedding used had negative effect on pig welfare in terms of transport loss. Skin surface temperature could be used as an indicator of transport loss in warm weather. Relative humidity inside trailer was higher and air temperature was lower with higher amount of bedding in cold season while loading the pigs. This could have negative welfare effect to the pigs. Internal trailer temperature and relative humidity did not vary in a specific pattern with compartment while loading. When pigs were exposed to warm air temperature, skin surface temperature first increased and then decreased, and rooting disc was the coolest body part. This indicated there should be a very effective mechanism to control heat balance between body and environment, but the mechanism is yet to be identified. When exposed to cold temperature for five minutes, skin surface temperature dropped abruptly and remained constant. Use of both, sloped ramps and elevator to load and unload pigs can be a novel experience to them. However, based on heart rate data, sloped ramp can be more stressful to the pigs. The results obtained from these studies can be helpful to reduce transport loss as well as economic loss by using extra amount of bedding with any advantage. The results will also help better understand response of pigs to acute change in environment and stresses during the course of handling and management.