Unit 4 - Environment Flashcards
When is space critical?
On arrival and at the end (before the piggy goes to the market)
What does M. hyopneumoniae do to the mucociliary apparatus?
Causes atrophy
What does dehydration do to the mucociliary apparatus?
Decreases the fluid layer
What does ammonia do to the mucociliary apparatus?
Inhibits cilia movement resulting in reduced clearance of bacteria
What does mucociliary apparatus disruption make pig more prone to?
Pneumonia
What are the four types of heat loss/gain?
Conductive, convective, evaporative, and radiant
What is conductive heat loss/gain?
Heat loss/gain via contact
What is convective heat loss/gain?
Heat loss/gain via air movement
What is evaporative heat loss/gain?
Heat loss/gain via the skin or respiratory tract
What is radiant heat loss/gain?
Heat loss/gain via cold objects at a distance
When assessing temperature, what should be assessed?
Effective environmental temperature
Lower and upper critical temperature
Describe the thermal environment in equal opportunity nurseries.
Micro comfort boards with cold floors - pigs fight for the best environment; bigger pigs win, smaller ones use
What facility design components can improve the pigs environment?
Zone heating
Self-adjusting inlets
Plastic floors
Big pens
What does zone heating allow for?
The reduction of room temperature and increase ventilation rate
What do self-adjusting inlets do?
Direct air into alley ways for young pigs
What do plastic floors do?
Increase effective environmental temperature
What do big pens allow for?
Pigs can choose comfortable areas and avoid uncomfortable areas
What are the types of ventilation systems in facilities?
Negative pressure, positive pressure, and neutral pressure
What is the most common type of ventilation system in facilities?
Negative pressure
What ventilation equipment is part of the negative pressure system?
Exhaust fans, passive inlets
What ventilation equipment is part of the positive pressure system?
Passive outlets, input fans
What ventilation equipment is part of the neutral pressure system?
Fans both in and out
What are natural ventilation systems for hot weather?
Breezes and wind
What are natural ventilation systems for cold weather?
Thermal buoyancy forces
What is the ventilation system that most Iowa farmers use?
Combination - mechanical in cold weather and natural in hot weather
How do negative pressure ventilation systems work?
The fans pull old air out of the building
As air moves out it creates negative pressure
Fresh air is pulled in to the building
How do positive pressure ventilation systems work?
Fresh air is pulled in to the building
As air is pulled inside positive pressure builds up
Old air is then forced out of the building
What are the sources of dust/particles in the pigs environment?
Feed, dander, dried feces, microbes, and insects
What size (in microns) of dust is respirable?
<5-10 microns
What biologically active compounds are in dust/particles?
Endotoxin, beta glucans
Absorbed gases and odors
How are dust/particulates controlled?
Reduce production - add fat or oil to diets
What should you not do to control dust/particulates because it can make them worse?
Increase ventilation
What are the sources of water/humidity in the pigs environment?
Pig respiration, heaters, and outside air
What can increase water/humidity in the environment?
Inadequate ventilation at minimum rates
What are the pit gasses?
Methane, ammonia, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide
Describe the characteristics of methane.
Lighter than air, odorless, and flammable
Describe the characteristics of ammonia.
Lighter than air, sharp odor, and irritation of respiratory tract and eyes
What are the sources of carbon dioxide in a pigs environment?
Pig’s respiration, heaters, outside air is only 300 ppm
How is carbon dioxide reduced in the environment?
Increase ventilation rate
What are the sources of ammonia in a pigs environment?
Urine and feces, especially as they dry
How can the waste handling system impact ammonia levels?
Levels are increased with scrapers
Insufficient water in pigs
Rapid air flow across pit surface will cause release of ammonia
What increases carbon monoxide levels in a pigs environment?
Malfunctioning heaters - a yellow flame is indicative that there is not enough oxygen
What age group is the most susceptible to carbon monoxide?
The fetus - the fetal hemoglobin affinity coefficient is higher than adult hemoglobin
In what season are carbon monoxide levels more pronounced?
Hot weather
When is hydrogen sulfide released?
From manure pits during agitation
When agitating manure pits, what should be done first?
Remove pigs Increase ventilation rates Avoid disruption of surface Watch closely Exit building if pigs start passing out
Why should you leave the building if pigs start passing out when the manure pit is agitated?
H2S is very deadly and there is a certain threshold where it cannot be smelled anymore because it causes olfactory paralysis
If you cant smell it you are screwed
