Abstract
Inbred strains generated from native and exotic pigs were compared with their F1 and F2 backcross populations for a range of litter performance traits. Animals were intensively reared and at 81/2 months of age, the inbred genotypes from each strain were reciprocally mated to each other togenerate F1 crossbred genotypes; while gilts from each crossbred group were backcrossed to their male parents to obtain four backcross progeny groups. Results of the study showed that the litter performances were better in the crossbred groups than in the inbred parents and this improvement could be ascribed to the dominant genes from the exotic parents. Significant (P
Highlights
In Nigeria, government’s policy on the ban of importation of inputs and services in the livestock sub sector has further exacerbated the plight of farmers in sourcing breeds and strains of livestock including pigs
Litter heterosis effects lead to slightly larger litter size at birth and to higher piglet survival and litter weights
The significant differences observed among the inbred lines of each exotic strain in some of these traits (Table 2) categorized them as distinct groups which can contribute to the improvement of the native pig
Summary
In Nigeria, government’s policy on the ban of importation of inputs and services in the livestock sub sector has further exacerbated the plight of farmers in sourcing breeds and strains of livestock including pigs. Adebambo (1984), Olomu and Oboh (1995) and Williamson and payne (1992) had all maintained that, though our native pigs are noted to perform poorly in growth, they possess useful genetic attributes like tolerance to harsh weather and poor diets, diseases and parasites, good maternal qualities and nickability when crossed with the exotic breeds. These are desirable genetic attributes that can be harnessed during crossbreeding for improvement of litter size and reproductive traits among native pig genotypes before they become extinct. Our native pigs, according to Marire et al (1997), are noted to compare favourably in growth characteristics with their exotic counterparts and have the singular ability to transmit genes for early age at sexual maturity, good maternal ability, most probable producing ability (MPPA) and produce better heterosis in harsh conditions when crossed with the exotic breeds
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