Effects of heat lamp output and color on piglets at cool and warm environments

Piglets from birth to wean at 21 days of age were subjected to heat lamps w ith either constant power output (CO) of 175 W or variable power output (VO ) from 175 W at birth to 100 W by weaning time. Each type of heat lamp had either clear or red radiant rays. The effects of lamp output and color on h eat lamp usage (HLU) and average daily gain (ADG) of the piglets were exami ned for a cool air temperature of 18 +/- 1 degrees C, (65 +/- 2 degrees F) and a warm air temperature of 27 +/- 1 degrees C (80 +/- 2 degrees F). Incr ease of air temperature from 18 to 27 degrees C significantly reduced HLU ( 55% vs 9%; P < 0.05) and ADG (270 vs 231 g/day; P < 0.05). HLU or ADG was s imilar for both types of lamp output. However, replacement of CO lamp with VO lamp would yield an annual energy saving of $29 (assuming electricity co st of $0.10/kWh and 320 days or 88% of annual farrowing crate occupancy). H eat lamp color showed no effect on piglet behavior or performance. A practi cal, low-cost operant controller that operates the heat lamps based on the presence/absence of piglets in the heat zone should be investigated to achi eve additional energy savings in creep heating.