Optimum slaughter weight in pigs. I. animal performance

Abstract

Average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (FI) and feed efficiency (FE) were evaluated with Landrace x Large White pigs from 25 to 80,100, 120 and 140 kg live weight (treatments I, II, III and IV, respectively) to determine optimum slaughter weight. Fifteen barrows and fifteen gilts alloted in five pens and fed ad libitum were used in each treatment. Live weight increased linearly with age while ADG increased curvilinearly with live weight. ADG was significantly higher in treatment III than in treatments I and IV (P<0.05) and higher but not significantly different from treatment II (P>0.05). Barrows had higher ADG than gilts (P<0.01). FI was higher in treatments III and IV than in treatments I and II (P<0.05). Treatment IV presented the worst FE (P <0.05). The differences in FE between treatments I and II and between treatments II and III were not significant (P>0.05). Results suggest that the animal performance was superior in treatments I, II and III than in treatment IV. The choice of the optimum slaughter weight among 80, 100 or 120kg would depend on the market.