Izvorni znanstveni članak
Comparative study on fattening and slaughtering characteristics of pigs kept in conventional and deep litter housing system
Gordana Kralik
Vladimir Margeta
Zlata Gajčević
Danica Hanžek
Sažetak
The aim of this research was to compare two different housing systems of pigs, i.e. conventional (solid floor) and the deep litter, with respect to productive and slaughtering characteristics of pigs. Moreover, the research also focused on effects that these housing systems have on animal welfare, health status and behavior. The research was carried out on 110 male and female finishing pigs, which were divided into two groups. Pigs of the first group were kept on deep litter, and pigs of the second group were housed in solid floor pens, without deep litter. The experiment was carried out on three-way crossbreeds of Large White and German Landrace in the dam line, and German Landrace in the sire line. Upon completion of the fattening process, pigs were slaughtered and measurements of warm and cold carcasses were performed. The experiment resulted in statistically highly significant differences (P<0.001) in weights of both groups, being 102.99 kg in the first group and 110.88 kg in the second one. In the first phase of fattening there were no statistically significant differences with respect to average daily gain of both groups. In the second phase, pigs kept in pens without deep litter exhibited significantly higher (P<0.05) average daily gain (0.706 g) than pigs kept on deep litter (0.652 g). In the finishing phase of fattening, these differences were statistically highly significant (P<0.001), being 0.759 g in the second and 0.475 g in the first group. Considering the feed consumption rate per kg of live weight gain, no statistically significant differences were obtained in either of groups. Furthermore, different housing systems had no effects on quality traits of pig halves (P>0.05). Pigs kept on deep litter had higher portion of muscular tissue in carcass (59.91%) than pigs kept conventionally (58.88%), however, differences in this respect were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Comparison of the muscular tissue quality traits between both groups did not result in statistically significant differences. Fattening of pigs on deep litter had positive effects on animal health, welfare and behavior.
Ključne riječi
pigs; fattening; deep litter; productive and slaughtering characteristics
Hrčak ID:
2176
URI
Datum izdavanja:
5.9.2005.
Posjeta: 2.191 *