Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of various feeding and housing systems on fattening performance, slaughter value and biochemical serum parameters in growing-finishing pigs. The experimental material comprised 90 growing-finishing pigs, divided into six groups of 15 animals that were diverse in terms of rearing (with or without free access to outdoor runs) and feeding systems (fed increased metabolizable energy (ME) content diets with or without green alfalfa). Different feeding regimes and rearing systems had no significant effects on most fattening results and the carcass traits of the pigs except for daily water and diet intake and feed/gain ratio. Daily water intake was lower in pigs fed complete diets plus green alfalfa forage. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations were statistically lower in the blood serum of Groups 3 and 6 than in Groups 2 and 4. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the serum of Group 6, compared with other groups. Group 3 had significantly higher triglycerides levels compared with Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6. Taking into consideration all these dependencies, it could be assumed that feeding regime and rearing with access to outdoor runs might improve not only blood lipid profile, but also the dietetic value of pork. It seems that feeding a complete diet with increased ME, plus green alfalfa forage and rearing indoors with free access to outdoor runs, gave the best results. Keywords: Carcass quality, finishing system, lipids, pig nutrition, production system
Highlights
In recent years the dramatic shift in availability of feed ingredients for the pig industry has meant that a wider range of feedstuffs must be considered in formulating pig diets, including those that contain considerable amounts of fibre
Water intake was lower in pigs fed complete diets with an addition of green alfalfa forage, compared with animals fed complete diets (Table 3)
Taking into consideration all these dependencies (i.e. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels), it could be assumed that feeding regime and rearing conditions might improve the dietetic value of meat
Summary
In recent years the dramatic shift in availability of feed ingredients for the pig industry has meant that a wider range of feedstuffs must be considered in formulating pig diets, including those that contain considerable amounts of fibre. Numerous studies worldwide have attempted to compare the growth performances of pigs kept indoors with outdoor production systems, but their results have been inconclusive and, in many cases, contradictory (Lebret, 2008; Lebret et al, 2014). In a study by Gentry et al (2002), pigs reared outdoors were characterized by higher growth rates than pigs born and finished in an indoor environment. Similar trends were noted by Stern et al (2003) and Millet et al (2005) In another experiment (Gentry et al, 2004), pigs reared outdoors were heavier and had higher gain/feed ratios. Different results were reported by Hoffman et al (2003) and Enfält et al (1997), who noted higher daily gains in pigs kept indoors. According to other authors (Sather et al, 1997; Stern et al, 2003; Lebret, 2008; Lebret et al, 2014), free-range pigs needed a longer period to reach the desired market weight, and used their feed less efficiently
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