K. K. KUAN and T. K. MAK
Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science, Volume 5, Issue 1, July 1982
Keywords: Castrates; Gilts; Performance; adlibitum; Restricted feeding and Carcass characteristics.
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Twenty castrated male pigs and twenty gilts initially averaging 52 kg were fed individually so thatthat performance and carcass qualityty of pigs fed on a scale based on ad libitum feed in g could be compared to those fed on a restricted regime under local environmen talconditions. Pigs fe d on a scale based on ad libitum feed in g showed a significantly faster growth rate and had more back fat compared to pigs on restricted feeding. For each 1% o f fe e d restriction there was a corresponding 1 reduction in average daily gain and 0.917c reduction in average b a c k fa t thickness. Gilts e xcelled over castrates in p erformance and carcass q u a lity ; the fo rm e r grew faster, were more efjicient in feed utilization and p ro d u c ed carcasses with less b a c k fa t and larger loin eye area compared to the latter. The digestible energy intake of pigs was less than animal’s o f similar live weight in temperate environments. In order to improve e ffic ien cyof production , it is suggested th a t castrates and gilts be fed separately during the finishing stage with the castrates subjected to a more severe level of feed restriction in order to limit fa t d eposition.
ISSN 1511-3701
e-ISSN 2231-8542