engleski

Effects of housing systems on carcass characteristics of finishing pigs

Fattening of pigs on deep litter has positive effects on health and welfare of pigs, and results in the production of quality pig meat. Scientific researches of this housing system show numerous advantages, but also some disadvantages in comparison with the conventional housing system. The aim of our research was to compare productive, slaughtering and economic indicators of groups of pigs in respect to the deep litter and conventional housing system. The research was carried out on crossbreeds (GL x LW) x GL, that were divided into two groups. The first group was kept on deep litter, and the second group was kept conventionally. Both groups were given food of the same composition. Throughout the fattening process, the food consumption was controlled, and the average daily weight gain, food conversion and costs of live weight gain were calculated. According to the meat portions, the carcasses were divided into the (S)EUROP commercial classes. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that pigs, which were kept on deep litter, had better food consumption per kg of weight gain than pigs kept conventionally (3.15 kg and 3.31 kg, respectively). Analysis of average daily gain values did not show differences related to housing systems of finishing pigs (0.67 kg and 0.66 kg, respectively). Slaughtering indicators show that pigs kept on deep litter, when compared to pigs kept in a conventional way, had heavier warm carcasses (81.13 kg and 80.47 kg, respectively), thinner back fat (12.76 mm and 14.30 mm, respectively) and greater portion of muscular tissue in carcasses (58.25% and 57.07%, respectively). Moreover, classification of warm carcasses was in favor of deep litter housing system. Lowered costs and higher market price of such finishing pigs proved that deep litter housing system is also financially better than the conventional housing systems. Classification of warm carcasses into commercial classes was in favor of pigs kept on deep litter. They had greater portion of the S and E class. Lower production costs and higher market price of finishing pigs kept on deep litter proved that deep litter housing system is financially better than the conventional housing systems.

pig ; housing system ; daily gain ; conversion ; carcass traits

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