Time of day and season affect the level of noise made by pigs kept on slatted floors

Abstract

The aim of this study was to prove the hypothesis that the noise emissions from pig housing varies according to the time of day and the season. The measurements were performed in a building for 1150 fattening pigs with a slatted floor during summer and winter. The pigs (average weight 95 kg) were kept in pens under a batch management system. Nine places were the focus of sound intensity measurements (one inside the stable in section 7; eight places outside the building). The measurements were performed during three sets of 5 consecutive days in summer and three sets in winter. On each day the data were obtained during three 30 min periods (before feeding, during feeding and after feeding). The measurement was made inside and outside the building at the same time. The level of noise depends very significantly upon the period of measurement (before feeding, during feeding, after feeding). The following values were recorded inside (place 1): 65.5 ± 1.6 dB before feeding, 72.0 ± 1.4 dB during feeding and 63.4 ± 0.7 dB after feeding (P <0.001). The effect of seasonal noise levels can be seen only in outside measurements (P <0.05; P <0.01). The comparison of measurement place 1 (inside, pen with pigs) with the other places outdoors showed significant differences in both observed factors (P <0.001). We can conclude that the noise in the pig housing depends significantly on the time of day. The season influences the noise outside the building, in particular.