Variation in individual piglet birth weights in a Large White × Landrace sow herd

Tj Zindove,Ef Dzomba,M Chimonyo,At Kanengoni

doi:10.4314/sajas.v44i1.11

Abstract

Within-litter birth weight variation in pigs is increasingly becoming important in influencing the profitability of pig enterprises. The objective of the study was to characterize within-litter birth weight variation in piglets from Large White × Landrace sows. The study was conducted using records from 1 768 litters collected between January 1998 and September 2010 from a pig herd in South Africa. The number of piglets born alive (NBA) ranged from three to 18. The mean within-litter birth weight coefficient of variation (CVBWT) was 17.6% and ranged from 0.47% to 50.7%. The distribution of CVBWT in the herd was positively skewed. CVBWT increased as NBA increased. Multiparous sows farrowed litters with higher CVBWT than gilts. To enhance profitability of pig enterprises, the selection for increased NBA should be followed by selection for decreased CVBWT.Keywords: Coefficient of variation, litter weight at birth, number of piglets born alive, parity

Highlights

Since improvement for number of piglets born alive (NBA) is approaching its optimum level, the challenge could be to maximize piglet survival and growth rates. Milligan et al (2002) suggested that one reason for low survival rates and a reduced average litter weight at weaning in large litters is the unfavourable positive correlation between NBA and within-litter birth weight variation
Light piglets have a reduced likelihood of surviving to weaning age and have reduced growth rates and weights at slaughter compared with their litter mates (Wolf et al, 2007)
Data were collected from a pig herd at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) farm at Irene, South Africa

Summary

Short communication

Variation in individual piglet birth weights in a Large White × Landrace sow herd. Condition of use: The user may copy, distribute, transmit and adapt the work, but must recognise the authors and the South African Journal of Animal Science

Skewness Kurtosis

Parity n

Findings

Month n