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This Article Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: jas.2007-0600v1 86/11/3181    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Young, M. G. Articles by Loughin, T. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Young, M. G. Articles by Loughin, T. M.

Effect of space allowance during rearing and selection criteria, on performance of gilts over three parities, in a commercial swine production system

M. G. Young^*, M. D. Tokach^*, F. X. Aherne¹, S. S. Dritz, R. D. Goodband^*, J. L. Nelssen^* and T. M. Loughin

^* Department of Animal Sciences and Industry , Food Animal Health and Management Center, College of Veterinary Medicine , Department of Statistics, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506-0210 ¹ Deceased

Goodband{at}ksu.edu

Abstract

A total of 1,257 gilts were used to determine the effect of space allowance during rearing and age at puberty on total pigs produced and removal rate over 3 parities. There were 2 treatments. Gilts were given a space allowance of 1.13 m²/gilt (15 gilts per pen) in treatment one, while in treatment two, gilts were given 0.77 m² per gilt (22 gilts per pen). Gilts (38 kg and 75 d of age) were individually weighed on entry and before leaving the rearing site. They were scanned for backfat thickness, loin depth, and had their feet and legs scored for structure, movement and toe evenness before leaving the rearing site. Commencing at approximately 140 d of age, gilts were exposed to a vasectomized boar once daily with age of puberty recorded for all gilts attaining puberty before leaving the rearing site. Gilts were then moved to a specialized gilt breeding farm. When confirmed pregnant, they were moved to 1 of 9 sow farms at random, where gilts remained until removal from that herd. Space allowance in rearing had no effect (P > 0.29) on growth rate in rearing, backfat thickness and loin depth, total pigs produced and removal rate. A greater (P = 0.02) percentage of gilts attained puberty and attained puberty at a younger age (P < 0.01) when given the greater space allowance in rearing. Gilts given the lower space allowance in rearing had more (P = 0.04) cracks on their rear hooves. Gilts attaining puberty at a younger age (< 185 d) had a greater growth rate in rearing, greater backfat thickness at 200 d of age and produced more (P < 0.05) pigs over parities 1 to 3. Gilts in the highest growth rate group in rearing (> 860 g/d) had greater (P < 0.05) total born in parity 1, but total pigs produced to the end of parity 3 was not different (P = 0.47). Contrary to expectation, fast growth rate in rearing did not negatively impact removal rate. Gilts served between 240 to 260 d of age produced more (P < 0.01) pigs by the end of parity 3 than those served at > 260 d of age, while a greater (P < 0.01) percentage of gilts served at > 280 d of age were removed by the end of parity 3. In conclusion, space allowance in rearing did not affect total pigs produced or removal rate; however, gilts that attained puberty at a younger age produced more pigs over parities 1 to 3.

Key Words: gilts • puberty • space allowance