Thumbnail Image

Theses

Browse

20121
Reset filters
Subject: Livestock Production and Management × Author: Kalita, Girin × End date: 2016 × Start date: 2010 × Type: Thesis ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    PERFORMANCE OF T&D PIGS UNDER DIFFERENT WEANING MANAGEMENT
    (Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2012-07) Kalita, Girin; Roychoudhury, R.
    Study was conducted at All India Coordinated Research Project on Pig (Mega Seed Project), College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati-781022, Assam, to compare the effect of early weaning management at 28, 35 and 42 days on the performance of T&D (Tamworth x Desi) sows and their piglets with normal weaning practice at 56 days. Twenty sows of 2nd and 3rd parity along with their piglets were divided to four groups (T1- 28 days weaning, T2- 35 days weaning, T3- 42 days weaning and T4- 56 days weaning) in a manner that each group was represented by similar litter size at birth and of similar parity sows. After weaning at respective age, piglets of each litter were reared together till 13 weeks of age. Pre-starter and Starter ration incorporating skim milk powder and table sugar were offered for ad libitum consumption to the piglets of T1, T2 and T3, during week 2 and 3 and during week 4, 5 and 6 of age respectively. Similar rations without skim milk powder and table sugar were offered in ad libitum to the piglets of T4 of same age groups. Grower I and Grower II rations were fed to appetite to the piglets from 7 to 11 and 12 to 13 weeks of age respectively for all the weaning groups. Interval from weaning to estrus (WEI) was recorded and all the sows were bred in the 1st post weaning estrus. At the end of 13 weeks, six castrated male pigs of average body weight from each weaning group were selected and reared up to 34 weeks of age to study the effect of weaning management on performance of growing finishing pigs along with their carcass characteristics. The litter size at birth, at weaning and at 13th week were not affected by the weaning management, whereas litter weight at 13th week were significantly (P<0.05) higher in 28 days followed by 35, 42 and 56 days weaning. Piglets weaned at an early age had significantly (P<0.05) higher body weight (24.73 ± 0.58 kg in 28 days and 24.00 ± 0.87 kg in 35 days weaning group) than the lately weaned piglets (20.74 ± 0.75 kg in 42 days and 19.26 ± 0.78 kg in 56 days weaning group) at the end of 13 weeks of age. Significant (P<0.05) effect of weaning management was observed on average daily gain (ADG in gram) of piglets from birth to 13 weeks of age, with highest ADG in 28 days (259.27 ± 6.20) followed by 35 days (251.39 ± 9.43), 42 days (215.50 ± 8.13) and 56 days (199.17 ± 8.55) weaning group. Feed conversion efficiencies (FCE) of piglets from weaning to 13 weeks of age were significantly (p<0.5) better in 28 days weaning (2.45 ± 0.08) compared to 35 days (2.74 ± 0.08), 42 days (3.05 ± 0.07) and 56 days (3.00 ± 0.15) weaning group. Average daily feed intakes (g) of piglets from birth to 13 weeks of age were significantly (P<0.05) higher in early weaned piglets (513.52 ± 16.79 in 28 days and 510.53 ± 9.29 in 35 days weaning group) compared to late weaned piglets (435.36 ± 21.28 in 42 days and 359.29 ± 33.79 in 56 days weaning group). Maximum mortality rates were observed in late weaned piglets (12.77% in 56 days and 11.36% in 42 days weaning group) as compared to early weaned counterparts (4.26% in 28 days and 2.27% in 35 days weaning group). Gastroenteritis (57.14%) was the main cause of mortality, followed by Pneumonia + Gastroenteritis (14.29%), Physical injury (7.14%) and Hepatitis (7.14%). Other causes like abscess, inanition, respiratory problem etc. accounted for 14.29% of the total deaths. Average daily feed intake (kg) by sow during lactation were 3.75 ± 0.10, 3.90 ± 0.10, 3.97 ±0.17 and 4.14 ± 0.42 in 28, 35, 42 and 56 days weaning group respectively and statistical analysis revealed non-significant (P<0.05) differences among the different weaning groups. Body weight loss (kg) of sow during lactation was significantly 15 (P<0.05) higher for the in 56 days (34.20 ± 1.66) weaning group, followed by 42 days (27.80 ± 0.97), 35 days (23.80 ± 1.07), and 28 days weaning (20.20 ± 1.39) group. Nonsignificant (p<0.05) effect of weaning management was observed in weaning to estrus intervals (WEI) among the different weaning groups. Subsequent litter traits were better in early weaned sows (28 and 35 days) compared to lately weaned sows (42 and 56 days) when bred in the first post weaning estrus. It was observed that, lactational body weight loss of sow was negatively correlated with subsequent litter size (r=-0.957) and positively correlated with weaning to estrus interval (r=0.990). Body weights (kg) of finisher at the end of 34 weeks was significantly higher in 28 days (105.00 ± 2.93) weaning group, followed by 35 days (99.33 ± 2.49), 42 days (95.50 ± 2.68) and 56 days (91.50 ± 3.57) weaning group and no differences were observed in FCE and ADG in growing finishing pigs from 14 to 34 weeks among the different weaning groups. Apart from back fat thickness and carcass weights, weaning management at 28, 35, 42 and 56 days didn’t have much effect on carcass characteristics, pigs weaned early (28 and 35 days) have higher carcass weights with more back fat thickness compared to lately weaned pigs (42 and 56 days). Economic analysis revealed that weaning management at 28 days was more economical compared to weaning management at 35, 42 or 56 days. It may be concluded from the study that weaning management at 28 days of age with quality diet for piglets was advantageous as compared to weaning management at 35 and 42 days or traditional weaning management at 56 days of age.