The influence of piglet birth weight on growth performance
2012
Vaclavkova, E., Vyzkumny Ustav Zivocisne Vyroby, Prague (Czech Republic) | Danek, P., Vyzkumny Ustav Zivocisne Vyroby, Prague (Czech Republic) | Rozkot, M., Vyzkumny Ustav Zivocisne Vyroby, Prague (Czech Republic)
The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of piglet birth weight on future growth intensity of pigs. Piglets (n=80) were weighted after birth, at age of 21 days, 28 days, 38 days, 4 weeks before slaughter, 2 weeks before slaughter and at the day of slaughter. The piglets were divided into four groups according to their birth weight as follows: less than 1000 g, 1001-1200 g, 1201-1500 g, 1501 g and more. Average daily gains in particular periods were calculated. Low birth weight was associated with decreased survival and lower postnatal growth rates. The piglets with low birth weight grew slower than piglets with higher birth weight. The lowest daily gains were found in pigs with the lowest birth weight during their growing and finishing period (P less than 0.01-0.001). They achieved the average daily gain from birth to slaughter of 546.04+/-35.44 g in comparison with piglets with the heaviest birth weight (732.04+/-40.19 g). Piglets with birth weight 1,201-1,500 g reached the slaughter weight 14 days earlier than lighter piglets.
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