Farrowing hut design and sow genotype (Camborough-15 vs 25% Meishan) effects on outdoor sow and litter productivity.
Performance measures were evaluated for 125 outdoor sows and litters of two crossbred genotypes (Camborough-15 and 25% Meishan) and in two farrowing hut designs (American-style and English-style hut). Contemporary breeding groups of second-parity sows were evaluated in an intensive, outdoor research unit. Sow genotype and hut designs were arranged factorially. Seven complete blocks were evaluated over a 21-wk period. No interactions between environment and genotype were identified for sow and litter productivity. Litters farrowing in the English-style huts weaned 1.5 more (P < .05) piglets per sow (because of a lower preweaning mortality, P = .05) than did litters in the American-style huts. The 25% Meishan weaned 1.7 more (P < .01) pigs per sow than Camborough-15, because of a greater number of piglets born alive. The effects of hut style and genotype were additive and 25% Meishan sows in English-style huts weaned an average (+/- SEM) of 11.1 +/- .83 piglets per sow. The English-style arc hut design may improve outdoor pig production and increase competitiveness of the intensive, outdoor system. The 25% Meishan genotype has potential for increased pigs weaned per litter that must be considered in light of other features of this genotype such as body composition.
McGlone
J J
JJ
Pork Industry Institute, Department of Animal Science and Food Technology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock 79409-2141, USA. john.mcglone@ttu.edu
Hicks
T A
TA
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006799:Housing, Animal; D008098:Litter Size; D008297:Male; D013552:Swine / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D014886:Weaning