An Assessment Of Heat Stress Status In Pigs And Adaptation Options In Lira District Uganda
Abstract
There is limited attention to impacts of climate change on pigs in Uganda by stakeholders
despite the potential vulnerability of pigs to climate change, especially heat stress. Pigs are
very sensitive to heat stress as they do not have functioning sweat glands (as other livestock
species do) and have small lungs which reduces their ability to disseminate heat by panting.
The objectives of the study were to determine the heat stress status in pigs, factors
influencing heat stress and explore the heat-stress adaptation options towards better pig
production in Lira District, Uganda. Lira was selected because of high poverty level, presence
of both rural & urban areas and expected heat stress throughout the year in the district. The
data including management systems, age, color, breeds, body/skin temperature, rectal
temperature and others were collected from 104 households and 259 pigs during the hot
months in Ojwina and Barr sub-counties- Lira district. More data on adaptation options were
collected during the four gender disaggregated focus group discussions. 63.46 % of the
respondents were female and 36.54% of respondents were male. Majority of the respondents
during the household survey were from Barr sub-county (56%) and the remainder (44%)
were from Ojwina sub-county, which were the rural area and urban area respectively. Rectal
temperature (RT=39.06°C ±0.83°C) and body/skin temperature (ST=36.32°C ±2 °C) were
the key heat stress indicators (dependent variables) as have been used by other researchers.
According to the farmers, 48.45% of the pigs had no heat stress, 51.55% of the pigs were heat
stressed and both the rectal temperature & skin temperature of these groups were
significantly different (p<0.01). There was a statistically significant correlation between heat
stress status and heat stress action (p<0.01 The results showed that rectal temperature is
influenced by the external temperature humidity index, pig management system, pig
category, color, heart girth, water quantity given during day in dry season, pig’s body
condition score, and time of the day. Skin temperature is significantly influenced by external
temperature humidity index, pig category, pig management, time of the day and body
condition score. The preferred adaptation options were analysed using the average preference
rating (using a rating scale of 1 to 5 where 1 was the least preferred option and 5 the highest
preferred). The results showed that the most preferred adaptation options included
constructing a high pig pen roof and allow easy air flow (Average Preference Rating = APR
=4.75); pouring water on the pigs (APR=4.63); and allowing pigs to swim/wallow
(APR=4.48). The least preferred adaptation options to heat stress included giving salt to
replace lost electrolytes (APR=1.25); and addition of fans (APR=1.03). The percentage of the
female members of the household making decisions and providing labour for particular
adaptation options was higher relative to the male household members and non-household
members; except for the adaptation option of constructing the pig houses. To adapt to heat
stress, pig shelters should be designed to minimize overcrowding while incorporating ways to
improve airflow and evaporative cooling by having a high roof, and / or using grass. Availing
water ad lib or even mixing water in the feed is critical to reducing heat stress. Pig
swimming/wallowing and pouring water on the pigskin are some of the interventions farmers
may use. However, there is need for more awareness about the suitable adaptation option to
heat stress while putting the local context into consideration.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Subject
Heat Stress Status In PigsRights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
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