Radiated temperature from thermal imaging is related to feed consumption, growth rate and feed efficiency in grower pigs

Individual feed consumption and animal weight were continuously recorded in grower pigs using an automated feeding system. Infrared images were recorded each time a pig entered the feeding system and infrared thermography provided radiated thermal measurements of the dorsal surface of each animal. Feed was withdrawn and the animals fasted for a period of 24 h three times during the growth of the animals at body weights of approximately 35, 65 and 105 kg. There was a significant reduction of 0.28 °C in the maximum surface temperature (Tmax), and 0.48 °C in the average surface temperature (Tmean) during the periods of fasting. Maximum and average pig temperatures exhibited negative correlations to feed consumption and growth variables. There were negative correlations of residual feed intake (RFI) to Tmax and Tmean radiated temperatures. There were positive correlations of residual gain (RG) and residual intake and gain (RIG) with Tmax and Tmean. The Tmax and Tmean temperature responses to fasting were negatively associated with feed consumption and growth variables. Absolute temperature and temperature response variables were positively associated with RFI and negatively associated with residual intake and gain (RIG). These findings provide support for the concept of radiated heat losses as a measure of metabolic activity and a predictor of growth performance.