Stress-Minimized Oral Temperature Measurement in Pigs Using Custom-Developed Water-Supply Device

Abstract

Existing methods for monitoring pig health primarily include visual inspection by pig farmers and the measurement of body temperature, typically via rectal or vaginal insertion. However, the continuous monitoring of rectal or vaginal temperatures poses challenges owing to hygiene concerns and the stress it imposes on pigs. This article presents a novel water-supply device that enables automatic stress-free oral temperature measurements during voluntary drinking. By capturing oral temperature during water intake, the device supports continuous monitoring without causing discomfort to the pigs. For accuracy, a measurement-and-counting algorithm is implemented to identify valid temperature data and prevent interference between oral and water temperatures. After integrating the algorithm into the device, its effectiveness for water delivery and accurate oral temperature measurements is evaluated. Experiments conducted on a farm confirmed the reliability of the device for measuring oral temperatures in pigs. Furthermore, these results demonstrate that oral temperature, as determined by the application of the algorithm, has the potential to serve as a reliable surrogate for core body temperature. The device using this algorithm and its extensive results are presented in detail.