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Published:
Dec 20, 1989Keywords:
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The Effect of Different Floor Space Allocations on the Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Growing Pigs Kept on the Solid-Floor Pens
Abstract
The growth performance and carcass characteristics of 110 large White growing pigs assigned to varying floor space allocations were evaluated. There were 5 treatments with 2 replications each. The number of pigs per replicate pen varied from 5, 8. 11, 14, to 17, providing a floor space (FS) of 1.23, 0.77, 0.58, 0.45 and 0.41e per pig to Treatment 1(FS1), 2(FS2), 3(FS3), 4(FS4) and 5(FS5) respectively. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Eighty percent of the pigs on each treatment were slaughtered at an average weight of 45kg for carcass ana-lysis. Daily feed intake and weight gains de-creased (P.< 0.05) with increasing number of pigs from Treatment FS1 to FS4; therefore, feed intake improved for the pigs on floor space of 0.41m2 (FS5). FCE and Pen efficiency values recorded showed a curvilinear trend. Mortalities of 0, 0, 0, 7.1 and 11,8% (P < 0.05) were re-corded for pigs on Treatments FS1, FS2, FS3, FS4 and FS5 respectively. Postmortem
examination attributed this to Injuries
There were no significant differences (P < 0.05) between 'refitment means for all the carcass parameters measured. Based on the results of this experiment, a floor space of 0.56m per growing pig is recommended for producers in the humid tropics where pigs are mostly kept on solid, floors.
