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Effects of housing system and litter grouping on performance and physiological maturity in entire boars and gilts

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 November 2017

E.L.R. Salmon  and
S.A. Edwards
E.L.R. Salmon*
Affiliation:
University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle, United Kingdom
S.A. Edwards
Affiliation:
University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle, United Kingdom
*
Email:lorraine.salmon@ncl.ac.uk
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Extract

Slaughter weight in UK pig production is increasing annually, with an associated increase in age at slaughter. This increases risk of reaching sexual maturity and a reduction in carcass quality and production efficiency. In entire boars, puberty is associated with increased aggression levels and the production of hormones causing carcass taint. Management systems and production practices may affect these risks. Thomas et al (1979) found that extensive housing and management systems increased the risk of pigs reaching puberty. In previous Scandinavian research, Fredriksen et al (2005) found that maintaining stable litter groups reduced aggression and mounting behaviour, and gave a lower propensity for carcass taint at slaughter. To date, there is a lack of research examining the effects of these factors on physiological development and aggression under UK conditions. This study explored the effect of stable litter grouping and housing system on performance, aggression and physiological maturity in entire males and gilts over the 60kg-130kg weight range.

Type
Theatre Presentations
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science , Volume 2007 , April 2007 , pp. 81
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2007

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References

Fredriksen, B., Nafsted, O., Lium, B.M., Marka, C.H., Heier, B. and Dahl, E. (2005). Rearing male pigs in a ‘farrow to finish system’. Effects on boar taint substances and animal welfare. 56th Annual Meeting of the European Association of Animal Production, Uppsala, Sweden, Wageningen Academic Publishers.Google Scholar
Thomas, H.R., Kattesh, H.G., Knight, J.W., Gwazdauskas, F.C., Meacham, T.N., and Kornegay, E.T. (1979) Effects of Housing and Rearing on Age at Puberty and Libido in Boars. Animal Production. 28: 231–234.CrossRefGoogle Scholar