Evaluation of the Performance of the Malawian Local Pig:1 Reproduction

Abstract

10 sows and two boars bought from smallholder farmers in Salima, Ntcheu and Dedza districts of Malawi were used as a foundation breeding stock on station. 129 piglets were farrowed over two mating periods. Litter sizes at birth were 7.3 plus/minus 2.5 and 9.2 plus/minus 4.2 respectively. Litter size at weaning for the two mating periods was similar and averaged 6.3 plus/minus 1.9. Piglet mortality in the first mating period and second mating period were 13.8% and 32.4% respectively. An antagonistic relationship between litter size at birth and survival rate could be assumed. Causes of piglet mortality were stillbirths, crushing due to sow behavior, starvation and weakness. Stillbirths accounted for 3.5% and 25.5% in the first mating period and second mating period respectively. Insufficient nutrition was considered as an immediate factor contributing to large number of stillbirths in the second mating period. Reproductive performance of the pigs in this study compare favorably with most of the African breeds. High coefficients of variation of litter size at birth and weaning indicate high pheno-typic variability.

UNISWA Research Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology Vol 3 (1) 1999: pp 92-95