[An electricodynamic cathethermometer and heat conditions in pens for piglets]

In the farrowing houses the electric dynamic katathermometer (EDK) was used to determine the thermal conditions in boxes for piglets heated by electric infraradiators (EIZ) with an input of 525 W. The density of heat flow of the EDK sensor in the boxes which characterizes the cooling properties of this environment was zero or only very low if the infraradiators were installed 60 to 70 cm above the floor of the boxes, i. e. so as to temper the air to a temperature recommended by the standard. This is apparently caused by the relatively great radiation from the infraradiator which is not registered by the mercury thermometer but is absorbed by the body surface of the piglets and may lead to their overheating. A desirable increase in the cooling properties of the box environment and of the other spaces of the farrowing house was achieved by decreasing the infraradiator input to 260 W and suspending them 50 cm above the floor of the boxes. Their fixation at a greater height allowed the further effective regulation of the heat conditions in the boxes while at the same time cutting down electric energy consumption by a half.