Original scientific paper

INFLUENCE OF FEEDING REGIME ON PIG GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS

Dragutin Vincek ; Varaždinska županija, Franjevački trg 7, Varaždin
Ivona Đurkin ; Poljoprivredni fakultet Sveučilišta Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
Gordana Kralik ; Poljoprivredni fakultet Sveučilišta Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
Antun Petričević ; Poljoprivredni fakultet Sveučilišta Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
Ulrich Bulain ; Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institut fuer Nutztiergenetik Mariensee

Abstract

The research on pig growth characteristics was conducted on 35 barrows, 4-way-crosses with a Pietrain X Hampshire sire and Large White x German White Landrace dam. Pigs were divided into two groups according to the feeding regime: intensive (ad libitum) and restrictive. The intensive group fed on diets with energy content of 13.8 MJ ME per kg and 17.5% of crude protein in growth phase and 13.8 MJ ME per kg and 15% of crude protein in the finishing phase, respectively. Pigs from the restrictive group were fed according to German feeding recommendation for barrows. In the first 17 weeks (~70 kg of live weight) the pigs were fed ad libitum diets containing 13.0 MJ ME per kg and 17.5% of crude protein. In the finishing phase the pigs were fed restrictively. This diet contained 13.0 MJ ME per kg and 15% of crude protein. The energy intake was restricted to 34.0 MJ ME per day. The pigs were weighed once a week and data on muscle and fatty tissue growth were obtained by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Statistical analysis of asymmetric S-function parameters showed significant differences between sigmoid growth curves for live weight and fatty tissue volume of pigs from two feeding regimes. However, no significant differences were found for muscle tissue between these groups. Optimal slaughter weight of investigated pigs was calculatedby combining information obtained from growth of live weight and muscle tissue modelling: 130 kg for pigs from the intensive group and 114 kg for pigs from the restrictive group. It can be concluded that restrictive feeding regime is more recommendable for BHZP barrows because intensive feeding, which is significantly more expensive, did not improve growth characteristics of investigated pigs in the sense of increased production of muscle tissue.

Keywords

pigs; body composition; growth; magnetic resonance

Hrčak ID:

27000

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/27000

Publication date:

12.5.2008.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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