Maîtrise des consommations d'énergie en élevage: intérêt et limites d'un démarrage en double densité en post-sevrage

The IFIP led an over-winter trial to assess the energy bill savings and livestock performance impacts of a "double-density" stocking policy. Double-density stocking reduces the volume of air that needs heating while increasing the heat generated by the animals, thus cutting down on heating requirements. The study was designed to compare the building heating-related energy consumption figures and to check that the overstocking period had no adverse effects on livestock performances and heath requirements. From an energy-use standpoint, the results are promising.The double-density stocking policy proves valuable in limiting heat energy consumption in the post-weaning phase while simultaneously cutting building costs. It offers the advantage of removing the need forthe overnight ventilation cooling that causes post-weaning-phase disease. Double-density stock policy applies to mid-to-large farms, as it requires several P-W barns used in side-corridor format covering 100-150 crates. This technique involves an additional animal transfer step, but does not entail any additional cleaning-disinfection operations.