Effects of continuous stray voltage on health, growth and welfare of fattening pigs.

The effects of continuous stray voltage were evaluated on growing-finishing pigs between the ages of 8 and 21 weeks. Seventy-two pigs were assigned to six blocks of 12 animals each. The following treatments were randomly distributed in each block according to a 2 x 3 factorial design: feeding level (restricted or ad libitum) and voltage level (0, 2 or 5 volts (V) as a difference of potential between feeder or drinker and the metallic floor). During daytime, stray voltage at 5 V decreased (p less than 0.05) the eating frequency in both feeding groups and the drinking frequency in restricted-fed pigs. The mean duration of drinking bouts and the total time spent at the drinker were also lower (p less than 0.05) in this last group during the hour following meal distribution. Daily feed intake and average daily gain were lower (p less than 0.05 and less than or equal to 0.08, respectively) in the 5 V group than in the 2 V and the control groups from 17 to 21 weeks of age. Finally, gastric lesions, hematological and biochemical variables were not affected (p greater than 0.05) by stray voltage.