Pré-Publication, Document De Travail (Preprint/Prepublication) Année : 2026

Simulation of ambient conditions and group performance in pig fattening rooms, accounting for individual variability among pigs

Résumé

Ambient temperature is one of the most important extrinsic factors that influence the performance of growing pigs. When growth models consider this factor, they have a limited ability to represent the influence of within-day temperature dynamics at the room scale. This can be simulated with bioclimatic models, based on average pig performance without considering the feeding strategy. The Thermipig model was developed at the room scale by combining a dynamic pig growth model, which considers individual pigs (body weight, hourly feed intake), batch management and feeding strategy, with a bioclimatic model, which considers room characteristics (size, insulation, ceiling, floor), regulation equipment, ambient temperature regulation and outdoor climate conditions. Run with a 1-hour time step, the model simulates the dynamics of the thermal balance at the room scale, and associated impacts on individual pigs. The model was evaluated using datasets obtained from two groups of 96 pigs reared in the same room at different seasons and with different regulation rules. Growth performance was simulated accurately (root mean squared error of prediction (RMSEP) < 1% for most criteria), with a difference between simulated and measured temperature lower than 1°C (0.5 and 0.6°C for groups 1 and 2, respectively). Subsequently, the impacts of different climatic conditions and wall insulations were simulated, with results consistent with the literature. As part of a decision-making tool, the model may help identify the most interesting local combination in insulation, equipment, regulation rules and feeding strategies for ambient temperature control, balancing pig performance, energy consumption and economic results.

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hal-05567973 , version 1 (26-03-2026)

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  • HAL Id : hal-05567973 , version 1

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Alice Cadero, Ludovic Brossard, Michel Marcon, Nathalie Quiniou. Simulation of ambient conditions and group performance in pig fattening rooms, accounting for individual variability among pigs. 2026. ⟨hal-05567973⟩
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