Feeding patterns, growth performance and carcass traits in group-housed growing-finishing pigs: the effect of terminal sire line, halothane genotype and age

Abstract

The effects of terminal sire line, halothane genotype and age on feeding patterns and growth performance were studied in 208 castrated growing-finishing pigs distributed in two batches. In batch 1 (no. = 130), pigs came from crosses of NN Landrace × Large White sows with a Pietrain Nn (Pi-Nn) or a Large White ✕ Pietrain Nn terminal sire line (LwPi-Nn). In batch 2 (no. = 78), the same sows were used but crossed with three different terminal sire lines : a Pietrain nn (Pi-nn), and two Pietrain NN (Pi-NNa and Pi-NNb). Growth performance and feeding patterns of the progeny (Nn or NN for the halothane gene) were measured from 67 to 166 days of age. Pigs were housed in groups of 10 and 13 individuals in Batch 1 and 2, respectively, with a random mixed-breed and halothane genotype sample in each group (space allowance 1·3 m 2 per pig and 1·1 m 2 per pig, respectively). Feeding patterns were monitored with a computerized food intake recording system (IVOG ® -station) and every 3 weeks pigs were weighed and backfat and loin-muscle depth were ultrasonically recorded (PIGLOG ® ). Carcass quality was assessed with the Fat-o-Meater grading probe. In batch 1, halothane genotype did not have a significant effect on any of the feeding patterns recorded, but Nn individuals had a significantly higher body weight ( P < 0·05), loin-muscle depth ( P < 0·05) and lower backfat thickness ( P < 0·01) in the last measurement taken, 3/4 carcass loin depth ( P < 0·05) and lower carcass last rib backfat ( P < 0·05) than NN pigs. Terminal sire line had a significant effect on all feeding patterns recorded except for feeding rate, Pi-Nn sired pigs showing a significantly higher food intake per visit ( P < 0·05) and feeder occupation time per visit ( P < 0·05) and lower number of visits ( P < 0·001) compared with LwPi-Nn sired pigs which, in turn, showed significantly higher food intake per day ( P < 0·001) and feeder occupation time per day ( P < 0·01). Terminal sire also affected growth performance and body composition, Pi-Nn sired pigs having a significantly lower body weight ( P < 0·001) and backfat thickness ( P < 0·001) but higher killingout proportion and 3/4 loin depth ( P < 0·01) than LwPi-Nn sired pigs. In batch 2, Pi-NNb sired pigs showed a significantly lower food intake per day compared with the progeny of the other two terminal sires lines at some of the age measurements taken ( P < 0·05). The rest of the feeding patterns was not affected by terminal sire line. Body and carcass weights were also significantly lower ( P < 0·01) for Pi-NNb sired pigs, but their killing-out proportion was higher than Pi-NNa sired pigs. With regard to these variables, Pi-nn sired pigs held an intermediate position between the two NN terminal sire lines. In both batches, age was associated with a significant increase in food intake per visit and per day and feeding rate ( P < 0·001) and a decrease in feeder occupation time per visit and per day and frequency of visits to the feeder ( P < 0·001). Overall, the present results suggest differences between...

Effects of genotype and dietary oil supplementation on performance, carcass traits, pork quality and fatty acid composition of backfat and intramuscular fat

“…These results confirm those of previous studies (Edwards, Bates, & Osburn, 2003;Edwards et al, 2006;Gispert et al, 2007), which reported higher backfat thickness in Duroc-sired progeny compared to Pietrain-or Large White-Pietrain-sired progeny (Fàbrega et al, 2003). On the other hand, the low backfat thickness observed in the MS-115×MO pigs is due to their low slaughter weight, since following Adjusted for similar ADFI.…”

“…Terminal sire line Embrapa MS-115 contains a 62.5% proportion of Pietrain breed, and as demonstrated in earlier studies, this breed and its progeny have a low feed intake and, consequently, slower growth rate and lower final weight at a given age than other breeds such as Duroc and Large White and their progenies (Augspurger et al, 2002;Bertol et al, 2010;Edwards et al, 2006;Fàbrega et al, 2003;Gispert et al, 2007). Hence, this is probably the reason why the progeny of the terminal sire line Embrapa MS-115 displayed a lower growth performance compared with the Duroc progeny.…”

“…The Pietrain breed and its progeny are known for low feed intake, slow growth and low carcass fat content compared to other lean type breeds such as Large White and Duroc or its crosses (Augspurger et al, 2002;Bertol et al, 2010;Edwards et al, 2006;Fàbrega et al, 2003;Gispert et al, 2007). Moura is a naturalized Brazilian breed, with low level improvement for growth and lean meat production.…”

Continuous Monitoring of Pigs in Fattening Using a Multi-Sensor System: Behavior Patterns

“…The average EST during the night was 34.84 ± 0.79 • C and during the day 32.80 ± 1.0 • C ( Figure 6); while the behavior in the ambient temperature is the reverse: the average of the medians during the day was 23. 22 3.2. Animal Temperature Figure 7 represents the average temperature and the standard deviation of each of the animals monitored.…”

Simulating pigs : Understanding their motivations, behaviour, welfare and productivity

“…In accordance with Bigelow and Houpt (1988), studies on feeding patterns in pigs showed in general an increase in feed intake, meal size and feeding rate, and a decrease or varying trend in meal frequency, meal duration, and feeding time when pigs gained weight (e.g. Fàbrega et al, 2003;Hyun et al, 1997;Nienaber et al, 1990;Walker, 1991).…”