Effects of feeding level from 20 to 45 kg on the performance and carcass composition of pigs grown to 90 kg live weight

Abstract

Twenty-seven female pigs were used to study the effects of three levels of feeding (low, moderate and ad libitum) from 20 to 45 kg on growth performance and carcass composition to 90 kg live weight. During the live weight phase 20 to 45 kg, raising the level of feeding increased growth rate ( P < 0.05), body fat and carcass fat measurements ( P < 0.05), but reduced body water ( P < 0.05). Subsequent to 45 kg, pigs previously fed at the lowest level grew more rapidly ( P < 0.05) and had lower ( P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) than pigs from either of the other feeding treatments to 45 kg and at 90 kg were leaner ( P < 0.05) than pigs offered feeding ad libitum between 20 and 45 kg. For total test (20–90 kg), pigs fed at the lowest level to 45 kg grew at a slower rate ( P < 0.05), but had a lower FCR ( P < 0.05) than pigs from the other two feeding treatments before 45 kg. Pigs subjected to the moderate feed restriction between 20 and 45 kg grew at a similar rate from 20 to 90 kg, but had a lower FCR ( P < 0.05) than those offered feeding ad libitum before 45 kg.