HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Kuhlers, D. L. Articles by Chandler, J. D. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Kuhlers, D. L. Articles by Chandler, J. D., Jr.

Estimates of Genetic-Pen Density Interactions in Production Traits of Swine¹

Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849

Abstract

Genotype x pen density interaction effects were evaluated with 343 pigs produced by nine sires of two breeds (Duroc and Spot) mated to 42 dams of three breed groups (Landrace, Duroc-Landrace and Yorkshire-Landrace). Pigs were divided into litter-sex groups and then placed by sire breed and dam breed into pens of equal size with solid concrete floors, eight or 16 animals to a pen. Pigs in pens of eight were allowed 1.06 m²/animal from 30 to 65 kg and 1.25 m2 /animal from 65 to 100 kg, whereas those in pens of 16 were allowed only half as much area. Traits evaluated were average daily gain during test (30 to 100 kg), ultrasonic backfat thickness and loin depth at end of test, lean tissue growth rate, days to 100 kg and an index which included test period average daily gain and backfat thickness. The pen density effects were not significant for any trait studied. Dam breed x pen density was a highly significant source of variation for backfat thickness, and the effects approached significance for the index. Least-squares means for backfat by dam breed and pen density indicated that the ranks of the pigs from the three dam breeds differed between the two pen densities. Interaction effects of sire breed x dam breed x pen density were significant for average daily gain, backfat thickness, lean tissue growth rate and index; correlations between ranks of the six breeding groups in the two densities were –.37, .26, .37 and .77, respectively. Sire x pen density effects were also significant for average daily gain, backfat thickness, lean tissue growth rate and index; correlations between ranks of sire means in the two pen densities were .73, .33, –.47 and –.07, respectively. Significant litter x pen density interactions were noted for average daily gain and lean tissue growth rate; correlations between ranks were –.24 and –.24, respectively. Results of this study indicate that pen density should be considered in performance testing schemes and in the evaluation of sire breed-dam breed combinations.

¹ Contribution from the Alabama Agr. Exp. Sta.

² Dept. of Anim. and Dairy Sci.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. N. Hamilton, M. Ellis, B. F. Wolter, A. P. Schinckel, and E. R. Wilson The growth performance of the progeny of two swine sire lines reared under different floor space allowances J Anim Sci, May 1, 2003; 81(5): 1126 - 1135. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]