Abstract
The study aimed to evaluate the effect of the genetic type (Large White [LW] vs Creole [CR]) and feeding management (indoors with concentrate [CSC], outdoors on sweet potato plots [OSP], indoors with the same ration as outdoors [CSP]) on 54 growing pigs. OSP animals had a growth rate of 240 grams per day, compared to 360 and 580 g/d for CSP and CSC pigs, respectively (p < 0.001). Outdoors, LWs were more physically active than CRs (15% of the time in exploratory activities vs 10%, respectively; p < 0.01). The distances covered over 24 hours were 90 meters for CRs and 150 meters for LWs (p < 0.01). Blood profiles suggested a faster adaptive hematological response of CRs to system change (from indoors to outdoors). The study of soil macrofauna after passage of animals showed an increase on the grazed plots in macroinvertebrates (notably Oligochaeta, Dermaptera) that decompose organic matter. This study suggests that alternative livestock systems, although less efficient, may meet farmers’ needs for economic gain in animal production, using agricultural residues or minimizing human intervention.
Highlights
In Guadeloupe, pig production is based on a variety of farming systems, from the specialized industrial systems based on imported feed and breeds to the small family pig farming systems which depend highly on the biodiversity available in their environment (Gourdine et al, 2011)
Higher body weights and average daily growth rates were observed in conventional and industrial concentrates were used (CSC) pigs, in CSP pigs, lastly in OSP pigs
The overall growth performance was higher in Large White (LW) than in CR pigs, but the back-fat thickness was lower in LW than in CR pigs
Summary
In Guadeloupe, pig production is based on a variety of farming systems, from the specialized industrial systems based on imported feed and breeds to the small family pig farming systems which depend highly on the biodiversity available in their environment (Gourdine et al, 2011). There are two contrasted logics of production. The logic is ‘what to do’ to maximize the pig output/input ratio, whereas in non-conventional systems, such as pig production in mixed farming systems, the logic is more ‘what to. 1. INRA, UR0143 URZ, Domaine Duclos Prise d’Eau, 97170 Petit-Bourg, Guadeloupe. 3. Université des Antilles, UFR Sciences exactes et naturelles, Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe.
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