The Effect of Different Floor Space Allocations on the Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Growing Pigs Kept on the Solid-Floor Pens

Abstract

The growth performance and carcass characteristics of 110 large White growing pigs assigned to varying floor space allocations were evaluated. There were 5 treatments with 2 replications each. The number of pigs per replicate pen varied from 5, 8. 11, 14, to 17, providing a floor space (FS) of 1.23, 0.77, 0.58, 0.45 and 0.41e per pig to Treatment 1(FS₁), 2(FS₂), 3(FS₃), 4(FS₄) and 5(FS₅) respectively. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Eighty percent of the pigs on each treatment were slaughtered at an average weight of 45kg for carcass ana-lysis. Daily feed intake and weight gains de-creased (P.< 0.05) with increasing number of pigs from Treatment FS₁ to FS₄; therefore, feed intake improved for the pigs on floor space of 0.41m² (FS₅). FCE and Pen efficiency values recorded showed a curvilinear trend. Mortalities of 0, 0, 0, 7.1 and 11,8% (P < 0.05) were re-corded for pigs on Treatments FS₁, FS₂, FS₃, FS₄ and FS₅ respectively. Postmortem

examination attributed this to Injuries

There were no significant differences (P < 0.05) between 'refitment means for all the carcass parameters measured. Based on the results of this experiment, a floor space of 0.56m per growing pig is recommended for producers in the humid tropics where pigs are mostly kept on solid, floors.