An experiment was carried out in the swine sector of North Fluminense State University to evaluate the behavior and physiological parameters of piglets in the first 24 hours of life. A total of 82 growing piglets from commercial genetic lines were used. Observations of individual piglet behavior were made each five minutes. Rectal and superficial temperature of the piglets were evaluated. Moreover, respiratory frequency was observed each one-hour interval. Results showed that piglets take a little more than half of their first day of life time sleeping (53,8%) and only 31,2% sucking. Rectal and superficial temperature increased after nine hours of life. However, superficial temperature of ham and respiratory frequency were not influenced. Newborn piglets from commercial genetic lines showed reaction to environment in the first hour of life. Moreover, the increase in rectal and superficial temperature evidenced attempt to maintain thermoregulatory control after nine hours of life.
Swine; rectal temperature; thermoregulation
