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Effects of Housing System and Duration on Quantitative and Qualitative Carcass Traits in Swine¹

Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana 47907

Abstract

Close confinement of growing-finishing swine enables the manager to handle maximum numbers of pigs with minimum labor and land. Consequently, the effect of housing system on pig performance is especially important. To the present, the influence of housing system and duration on muscle quantity and quality in swine has not been thoroughly evaluated.

The objectives of this research were (1) to compare three growing and finishing housing systems with respect to their influence on carcass composition and muscle quality, and (2) to determine the effect of growth rate in the various housing systems on the carcass and muscle parameters.

Three experiments were conducted in this study which utilized 548 pigs. Most pigs on experiment were Hampshire-Yorkshire crossbreds, however, some purebred Hampshires and Durocs were also used. All breed groups were randomized over the housing treatments employed. Experiments I and III were conducted in the summer months while experiment II took place in the winter months.

¹ Journal Paper No. 4010 of the Purdue Agricultural Experiment Station, Department of Animal Sciences, Lafayette, Indiana, 47907.