Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of age on the fattening performance qualities and carcasses slaughter value. The assessment covered 99 crossbred pigs (Danish Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc). The animals were subdivided into two groups with different slaughter age (159 and 169 days). The assessment covered fattening and post-slaughter characteristics. It has been proven that, at slaughter, younger crossbred pigs showed a higher growth rate than older pigs (P < 0.01). In addition, the former were fattened for a shorter period and consumed less feed across the entire fattening period as well as per 1 kg of gain. Carcasses of pigs older at slaughter were characterised by greater warm carcass weight and height of the loin muscle relative to group I carcasses (P < 0.01). Slaughter value of fatteners from both groups studied was very high, as each of the carcasses under assessment was classified under the most valuable categories S, E, and U.
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