Conformation traits and reproductive abilities of hybrid sows

Abstract

The indicators of the conformation and reproductive abilities of hybrid sows in the dynamics of six farrowings under the conditions of the pedigree farm of the pig breeding complex of PAO “Cherkizovo-pig breeding” were studied comparatively. In the dynamics of six farrowings the largest increase was revealed by measuring the chest depth by 16,32 %, and the smallest by height at the withers by 6,64 %. Analysis of changes in measurements has shown that sows at the beginning of reproductive use had not yet finished growing and significantly increased their linear sizes during the first three farrowings. At the same time, they grew most intensively in length than in height. According to the calculated conformation indices Topigs Norsvin hybrid sows were characterized as animals of a typical meat productivity direction. When characterizing the conformation of animals by indices, it was revealed that the index of longlegginess gradually decreased in age dynamics. According to the index of massiveness and lengthiness a tendency to increase indicators with the increase in the number of farrowing sows was revealed. The blockiness index has shown the slight increase until the third farrow, and in subsequent farrowings this index remained approximately at the same level. The live weight of sows at the first farrowing was 149,49 kg. The live weight of sows increased by 99,11 kg or by 16,62 % by the sixth farrowing. The most intensive gain in live weight was observed during the first four farrowings. So, in the fourth farrowing the live weight of sows increased by 65,62 kg or 43,90 % compared with the first farrowing. The calculated correlation coefficients between the indicators of conformation and reproductive abilities turned out to be relatively low, they had mainly a negative orientation.