Effect of birth weight of piglets on their growth ability, carcass traits and meat quality

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of birth weight on growth performance and carcass quality. Data were collected from 80 crossbred piglets. Individual body weight was measured at birth, at the age of 21, 28 and 38 days, 4 weeks before slaughter, 2 weeks before slaughter and one day before slaughter. Average daily weight gains in separate intervals were calculated. Fattening period was finished at the same day for all pigs. Lean meat percentage and pH1 value were measured after slaughter, drip loss and intramuscular fat content were analysed in laboratory. Data were divided into 4 groups according to the birth weight of piglets (I: less than 1000 g, II: 1001-1200 g, III: 1201-1500 g, IV: 1501 g and more). Increased birth weight resulted in increased daily weight gain from birth to weaning (28 days), after weaning and also from birth to slaughter (P ≤ 0.05, P ≤ 0.01). The high daily weight gain in group IV enabled pigs to reach the slaughter weight one month earlier than pigs from group II. The lowest lean meat content (52.74 ± 2.82 %) was found in group I V. This is connected with high slaughter weight (132.50 ± 7.27 kg). Intramuscular fat content, pH1 value and drip loss were not affected by birth weight of piglets.