Abstract

The growth and efficiency of food conversion of growing pigs was compared under different housing conditions during summer in a sub-tropical area. Two groups of five pigs were housed under small iron shelters where tempera-tures ranged from a minimum of 11 “C to a maximum of 43°C. From approximately 20 to 89 kg, their average daily gain was 558 g and the food conversion ratio was 3.23: 1. Two similar groups of pigs were housed in partly insulated pens where tempera-tures ranged from a minimum of 13 “C to a maximum of 39’C. Over the same weight range, they had an average daily gain of 636 g and a food conversion ratio of 2.89: 1. I.