Research Article Open Access

Prediction of Productivity Traits of Growing-Finishing Pigs in Varying Ambient Temperature

Abstract

Objective: Recent decades have seen a rapid increase in global pig production system and consumption patterns. Since an optimum temperature level has a significant effect on pig performances, this study was undertaken to determine the effect of varying temperature on the productivity traits of growing and finishing pigs with regression analysis. Methods: This experiment was conducted at the Sunchon National University in South Korea. A total of 40 three-way crossbred pigs were used, having average body weight 25.27 ± 0.47 kg. They were allocated into four treatments and provided temperature levels for growing phase were T1=16°C, T2=21°C, T3=26°C and T4=31°C. Finishing pigs were accommodated with T1=12°C, T2=18°C, T3=25°C and T4=32°C. The Average Daily Weight Gain (ADWG), Average Daily Feed Intake (ADFI) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were measured. Results: Data analysed at the end of the experimental period revealed, in the growing phase, FCR was enhanced in the T2, T3 and T4 treatment groups (p<0.05). Furthermore, late finishing pigs in T1 treatment showed the highest FCR (p<0.05). Conclusion: Regression analysis showed that improvement in FCR, ADWG and ADFI could be obtained by providing optimum temperature. Taken together, results of this study indicate that the performance of pigs could be enhanced with proper thermal environmental conditions.

Hong-Seok Mun, Dhanushka Rathnayake , Muhammad Ammar Dilawar, Myeong-gil Jeong and Chulju Yang

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