Group characteristics influence growth rate and backfat of commercially raised grower pigs

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert M. Jones ◽  
Ron E. Crump ◽  
Susanne Hermesch

Records from 9429 pigs raised in 353 grower groups in a commercial Australian piggery were analysed to determine whether grower-group characteristics affected daily gain and backfat of individual pigs. Individual and group effects as well as their interactions were tested for significance (P < 0.05) in a mixed model, with sire fitted as a random effect. Group characteristics affected average daily gain (ADG) more than backfat (BF). The proportion of males in a group influenced both traits significantly, as did the average number of full siblings. Groups with 10–30% of the opposite sex had the highest BF and a 21–30 g/day reduction in ADG compared with the highest-performing groups with less than 10% of males. Each additional full sibling per group increased ADG by 5.5 ± 1.60 g/day and BF by 0.12 ± 0.05 mm. Additionally, ADG increased by 9.8 ± 2.64 g/day per second of group mean flight time and by 4.5 g/day per 10% increase in the proportion of Duroc pigs per group. Group size affected ADG (linear and quadratic) and BF (linear); however, the effect on ADG was considerably larger during the warmer grower season. In commercial piggeries, it may be possible to optimise individual daily gain through the manipulation of grower-group characteristics. Advantages for growth rate arose from including a portion of a calmer line of pigs within groups, optimising the stocking density in warmer months and maximising the proportion of quieter, less fearful pigs in grower groups.

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 271-271
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M Chaney ◽  
Taylor D Harrison ◽  
Kiernan J Brandt ◽  
Liesel G Schneider ◽  
Rebecca R Payton ◽  
...  

Abstract Replacement heifers provide the foundation of breeding herds by incorporating new and improving genetics. Growth rate (GR) manipulation during heifer development may alter the uterine environment via immune response impacting reproductive function. Angus-crossbred heifers (n = 48) were blocked into 4 weight classes and randomly assigned to one of three treatments: 1) control (CON) fed to gain 0.68 kg/day for 120 d, 2) fast to slow (F/S) fed to achieve 1.25 kg/day for 57 d, then 0.11 kg/day for 63 d, and 3) slow to fast (S/F) fed to achieve 0.11 kg/day for 57 d, then 1.25 kg/day for 63 d. Heifers were supplemented (75% dry distillers grain and 25% corn) four times weekly to achieve desired GR and offered ad libitum forage and water. Blood, BW and BCS were taken every two wks beginning at the start of treatment (d 0) and supplements were adjusted following BW measurement. Uterine and vaginal flushes were taken at d 0, 57, and 120 to determine cytokine and hormone presence. Mixed model ANOVA utilized fixed effects of treatment, day, and their interaction to analyze influence of GR on BW, BCS, average daily gain (ADG), and feed:gain (F:G). All BW were similar until the GR switch; CON and S/F decreased for 3 samples and then returned to similarity (P=0.06). ADG was lower in CON and S/F immediately following GR switch; however, all treatments were similar before and after this event (P=0.0054). All maintained similar F:G until F/S decreased after GR switch (P=0.01). Total F:G was similar for all treatments (CON=18.3, F/S=26.5, S/F=22.7; P=0.25) In conclusion, altering GR during development will allow producers to hit growth thresholds but may impact the uterine environment. We plan to further elucidate the immune profile via cytokine and hormone concentrations from uterine and vaginal flushes.


Author(s):  
G. A. Nozdrin ◽  
N. A. Gotovchikov ◽  
M. S. Yakovleva ◽  
N. S. Yakovleva ◽  
M. B. Lazareva

The combined effect of homobiotics, probiotics based on recombinant strains of g. Bacillus, & enrofloxacin on the dynamics of body weight gain in geese was studied. According to the principle of steam-analogs, one control and five experimental groups of 10 goslings in each group were formed. Gosyatam experimental groups used homobiotics vetom 15.1; vetom 13.1 incombination with enrofloxacin followed by replacement with a probiotic preparation Vetom 1.2. The absolute body weight and average daily gain in geese under the influence of the studied drugs increases. The severity of the effect depended on the pharmacological composition of the drugs used. The maximum absolute weight gain was observed when using the drugs according to the scheme: vetom 13.1 at doses of 25–50 mg/kg for 16 days, with further use of a 10% enrofloxacin solution at a dose of 0.5 ml/kg for 5 days and in The experiment period was 1.2 at a dose of 50 mg/kg for 16 days. After the cessation of the use of drugs, the growth rate increased for 30 days when prescribing the drugs according to the scheme: veto 13.1 at a dose of 50 mg/kg for 16 days and with further introduction of homobiotic veto 1.2 into the bird in a dose of 50 mg/kg for 16 days. The maximum average daily gain in live weight of geese was observed in the period from the 16th to the 32nd day with the administration scheme: homobiotic vetom 13.1 at a dose of 25 mg/kg of body weight 1 time per day for 5 consecutive days, then every other day for 16 days, then daily 10 % solution of enrofloxacin at a dose of 0.5 ml/kg of body weight for 5 days, then vetom 1.2 at a dose of 25 mg/kg once a day for 16 days in a row. And the maximum average daily gain in the post using period of the drug was observed on the 32nd day of the study according to the scheme: homobiotic veto 15.1 at a dose of 50 mg/kg of body weight 1 time per day for 16 days, then daily with vetom 1.2 at the same dose 1 once a day for 16 days. The studied drugs in the applied doses did not have a toxic effect on the physiological state of geese.


Author(s):  
А.И. БАХТУШКИНА ◽  
В.Р. САИТОВ ◽  
М.М. САЛЬНИКОВА

Проведено изучение интенсивности роста молодняка яков алтайской популяции, характеризующегося энергичным ростом. Динамика роста молодняка яков изучена путем определения их живой массы в разные возрастные периоды: при рождении, в возрасте 7, 12, 18 мес. По результатам взвешиваний определен абсолютный прирост, абсолютный среднесуточный прирост живой массы, относительная скорость роста. В период от рождения до 7-месячного возраста, который совпал с летним периодом пастбищного сезона, живая масса бычков увеличилась на 131,4 кг, а телок — на 120,2 кг. Интенсивность роста составила соответственно 625,7 и 572,4 г, что свидетельствует о достаточно хорошей молочности маток. В зимний период (возраст молодняка — от 7 до 12 мес) интенсивность роста резко снизилась: живая масса бычков и телочек составила всего 161,3 и 143,7 кг, со среднесуточными приростами — 94 и 58 г соответственно. С началом вегетации пастбищных растений приросты молодняка по сравнению с зимним периодом резко увеличились. В возрасте от 12 до 18 мес они были равны: 476 г — у бычков и 439 г — у телочек. Общий прирост живой массы бычков за этот период составил 86 кг, у телочек — 79 кг. Полученные данные свидетельствуют о достаточно хорошем развитии молодняка яков алтайской популяции. The growth rate of young yaks of the Altai population, characterized by vigorous growth, was investigated. The growth dynamics of young yaks was studied by determining their live weight at different age periods – at birth and at the age of 7, 12, 18 months. According to the weighing results, the absolute gain, the absolute average daily gain in live weight, and the relative growth rate were determined. In the period from birth to 7 months of age, which coincided with the summer months of the pasture season, the live weight of bull calves increased by 131.4, and heifers — by 120.2 kg, i.e., the growth rate was 625.7 and 572.4 g, respectively, which characterizes a fairly good milk yield of cows. In the winter period (age from 7 to 12 months), the growth rate decreased sharply: the live weight of calves and calves was only 161.3 kg and 143.7 kg, with average daily gains of 94 and 58g, respectively. Subsequently, with the beginning of the growing season of pasture plants, the weight gain of young animals in comparison with the winter period increased sharply. At the age of 12 to 18 months they were equal: 476 g-for steers and 439 g-for heifers. The total increase in live weight of calves during this period was 86 kg, of heifers — 79 kg. The data obtained indicate a fairly good development of young yaks of the Altai population.


1972 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. B. JEFFERY ◽  
R. T. BERG

A study involving three sets of data from the University of Alberta beef breeding herd (1966–67, 176 cows; 1967–68, 167 cows; 1968–70, 285 cows) was conducted to determine the influence of birth weight of calf (BW), postcalving weight of dam (PCW), and breed effect on calf performance to 365 days of age. The influence of preweaning on postweaning performance was also considered. Calves heavier at birth tended to excel in both preweaning and postweaning growth rate. A 1-kg increase in BW resulted in an increase of 2.86–4.42 kg in calf weight at 365 days of age. For male calves, PCW was negatively associated with calf weight at both 180 and 365 days of age for 1966–67 data; however, for 1967–68 and 1968–70 data, a 10-kg increase in PCW resulted in 0.70- and 0.92-kg increases, respectively, in calf weight at 180 days, and 1.96- and 2.12-kg increases in calf weight at 365 days, respectively. For female calves, a 10-kg increase in PCW resulted in 1.40-, 0.88-, and 0.29-kg increases in calf weight at 180 days of age, and 0.68-, 1.31-, and 0.31-kg increases in calf weight at 365 days of age, respectively, for the three sets of data. Breed difference explained from 22 to 43% of the variance in average daily gain of calf to weaning (ADG) but only 0.2–13.8% of the variance in postweaning average daily gain (PWADG). Male calves with higher ADG to weaning or heavier weaning weights tended to have slightly higher PWADG. A 10-kg advantage in weaning weight for male calves resulted in a 12–14-kg advantage in weight at 365 days of age.


1972 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avraam Louca

SUMMARYSeventy-two Cyprus Fat-tailed and Chios ewes with their lambs were used over a 2-year period to study the effects of three suckling regimes on the lactation performance of ewes and growth rate of lambs. The regimes studied were continuous or 24-hr a day suckling, 12-hr suckling and no suckling. The lambs were weaned at the age of 10 weeks. All the ewes, including those suckling, were handmilked throughout the trial twice daily.Highly significant differences in milk yield (milk sucked by lambs plus milk withdrawn by hand) and lactation length were found between the Fat-tailed and Chios ewes, the respective average milk yields being 159 and 265 kg and the corresponding lactation lengths, 158 and 209 days. There were no significant differences between breeds in the live weight or average daily gain of lambs up to the age of 20 weeks. Suckling for 12 rather than 24 hr a day had no adverse effects on the milk yield of ewes or the growth rate of lambs. The no-suckling regime, however, adversely affected milk yield and lactation length but the effects were less pronounced for the Chios breed.


2007 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 476-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Škorjanc ◽  
M. Brus ◽  
M. Čandek Potokar

Abstract. A study was conducted to find out the effect of birth weight and sex on growth rate of piglets in pre-weaning period. A total of 466 piglets from 48 litters of multiparous sows (Landrace) were involved in the experiment. Using a clustering approach piglets were assigned into three birth weight groups (Heavy (H), Intermediate (I), Light (L)). For the analysis of growth performance, pigs were weighed every 7 days until weaning at 28 days of age and average daily gain (ADG) was calculated. During lactation, body weight of L piglets was 5.5-fold increased, whereas the increase in I and H piglets were only 4.7-fold and 3.4-fold, respectively. Piglets of L group were significantly lighter at all studied ages compared to piglets of I and H group. The highest ADG was noted in the second week for all three groups; thereafter it decreased in H and L piglets (24% and 17%, respectively). The average birth weight of piglets was positively and significantly correlated with body weight at days 7, 14, 21 and 28. Sex did not affect significantly the ADG of the investigated animals during the four weeks of lactation. The present results indicate that neither milk production after the second week of lactation nor consumption of creep feed are sufficient enough to cover nutrition needs of fast growing piglets. There’s still a lack of optimization of nutrition in pre-weaning period especially for heavier piglets with their higher growth potential.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-69
Author(s):  
B. I. Orji ◽  
J. Steinbach

THE Incidence of the first behavioural oestrus (puberty) in 28 ewe lambs was investigated to determine the effect of the plane of nutrition on it. The ewes were randomly alloted and reared on two planes of nutrition: one exclusively on roughage (grazing and bay) the second roughage supplemented with concentrate at the rate of 454g a day from weaning to puberty. The ewe lambs were checked for standing heat with two vasectomised rams twice daily - mornings and evenings. The age and body weight at puberty and the average daily gain from weaning to puberty In unsupplemented ewes were 339.5 ± 7.8 days, 14.6 ± 0.9kg and 29.4 ± 4.7g respectively. The corresponding figures for the supplemented ewes were 262.0 ± 16.2 days, 16.2 ± 0.7kg and 73.0 ± 6.6g. The ewe lambs born as singles attained puberty at a younger age but lambs fed supplemented concentrate ration had a significantly higher growth rate and attained puberty at a significantly younger age and higher body weight than ewe lambs fed on roughage only. The durations of early postpuberal oestrus and oestrous cycle were 41.03 ± 2.94 hours and 18.00 ± 0.63 days respectively.


2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 633-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime Salinas-Chavira ◽  
Alfredo Lara-Juarez ◽  
Abraham Gil-González ◽  
Jorge Jimenez-Castro ◽  
Ramón Garcia-Castillo ◽  
...  

The effects of supplementing feedlot diets with ionophores and breed type were assessed on growth rate and carcass characteristics in hair lambs. Twenty four intact males, 12 Pelibuey × Dorper (PDo) and 12 Pelibuey × Damara (PDa) lambs, 17.9 ± 3.7 kg initial weight, were housed in individual pens for a 60-d feeding trial. The lambs were assigned randomly into four diets: control without additives (C); 25 µg/g monensin (M); 28 µg/g salinomycin (S); 28 µg/g S for 20 d, and 25 µg/g M for the next 40 d (SM). Each diet was supplied to six lambs. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement, with four diets and two breed types of hair lambs (PDo and PDa). All diets were formulated to contain 14% CP and 2.6 Mcal ME/kg dry matter. At the end of the feeding trial carcass images were recorded in the last intercostal space (12th and 13th ribs) using ultrasound equipment to measure the Longissimus dorsi muscle area and subcutaneous fat (SF). The average daily gain (ADG), daily dry matter intake, feed:gain ratio, subcutaneous fat and Longissimus dorsi area were not affected by ionophore supplementation.. The Pelibuey × Dorper group tended to show better average daily gain than Pelibuey × Damara (262 g/d and 235 g/d, respectively). Daily dry matter intake, feed:gain ratio and subcutaneous fat were not affected by breed type. The Pelibuey × Dorper lambs had greater Longissimus dorsi area (16.74 cm²) than the Pelibuey × Damara (14.29 cm²) lambs. The growth rate was not influenced by the inclusion of ionophores. Pelibuey × Dorper lambs showed better average daily gain and carcass characteristics than Pelibuey × Damara lambs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 105-106
Author(s):  
Robyn Thompson ◽  
Amanda Graham ◽  
Brandon Knopf ◽  
Laura Greiner ◽  
Sangita Jalukar

Abstract Two hundred and forty sows (Camborough, PIC, Hendersonville, TN) were started on study at 35 d post-breeding through lactation to determine the effects of soluble concentrated yeast product (Celmanax SCP, Arm and Hammer, Princeton, NJ) on sow and litter performance. Sows were fed their respective dietary treatments: 1) Control diet gestation x control diet lactation; 2) 0.01% Celmanax SCP in gestation x control diet lactation; 3) Control diet gestation x 0.02% Celmanax SCP in lactation; and 4) 0.01% Celmanax SCP in gestation x 0.02% Celmanax SCP in lactation. All diets were formulated to meet or exceed NRC (2012) requirements and contained a feed disinfectant. Sows were allowed ad libitum access to feed and water in lactation. Litters were weighed after cross-fostering, 48 h post-farrow (after litter adjustments and cross-fostering) and at weaning. Sows were weighed entering farrowing and at weaning. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete parity block using PROC MIXED of SAS with sow as the experimental unit, treatment as a fixed effect, and parity as a random effect. There were detectable levels of fumonisin (2 ppm), vomitoxin (1.3 ppm) and zearalenone (243 ppb). There were no differences in sow feed intake or body weight loss (P > 0.10). There was a significant difference in treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4 for days between wean to estrus (5.99, 5.12, 4.90, 4.49; P = 0.01) and percent bred within 7 d (86.53, 97.06, 97.85, 100.00; P = 0.01), respectively. Average piglet wean weights (kg) were 5.82, 5.87, 5.93, 6.01; P = 0.02 for treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Furthermore, there were no responses in piglet average daily gain or mortality (P > 0.10). The feeding of the soluble yeast product to sows does appear to improve subsequent breeding and litter performance.


1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 619-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. H. FAHMY ◽  
P. M. FLIPOT ◽  
M. S. WOLYNETZ ◽  
J. E. COMEAU

Sets of twin lambs from both sexes representing 11 genetic groups were fed either concentrate (HE) or roughage (LE) diets from weaning to 32 kg liveweight. One lamb from each set received the HE diet while the other received the LE diet. Data on average daily gain (ADG), relative ADG (RADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were analyzed to test for the presence of a genotype × diet interaction; this effect was significant for RADG. Although the ranking of the genetic groups with respect to RADG depended upon diet, the group ranking highest on HE was also the highest on LE. The set of twins × diet interaction was not significant for ADG or RADG. The results support the present practice in test stations of feeding lambs concentrate rations to identify their potential for growth and basing growth comparisons on a within genetic group basis. Key words: Genotype × diet interaction, growth rate, feed conversion ratio


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