Variability in carcass composition of pigs during growth

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate variability in carcass composition of fattening pigs during growth. The research was conducted on 60 three way hybrid pigs between 49 and 215 days of age. For the purpose of growth measurement pigs were weighed at 7 days interval. After each 21 days, four pigs (2 barrows and 2 gilts) were selected for slaughter according to average live weight. Subsequent to slaughter, right side of pig carcasses was dissected according to Weniger (1963). Statistical analysis showed that average live weight increases with age in the sigmoid manner. The average daily gain during the trial was 550 g (562 g for barrows, and 537 g for gilts), while feed conversion was 3.5 kg. The highest share of muscle was achieved at 125 days of age for barrows and 146 days for gilts. The intramuscular fat content was higher in barrows than in gilts throughout the whole experiment time. Share of bone tissue in investigated pigs constantly decreases, but after 125 days of age it remains at the same level.