INFLUENCE OF SEASON ON SOME REPRODUCTIVE TRAITS IN GROUP-HOUSED DANUBE WHITE AND LANDRACE SOWS

Tanya Nikolova

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of season on some reproductive traits in grouphoused sows from the Danube White (n= 60) and Landrace (n= 80) breeds. The traits percentage of sows in estrus, conception rate, dropout rate, percentage of farrowed sows, and weaning to estrus period were estimated. The results show significantly better reproductive abilities in winter versus summer season. The percentage of sows in estrus, conception rate, and percentage of farrowed sows were established to be higher in winter than in summer. The duration of weaning to estrus period was shortest in autumn (Р≤0.001) and longest in summer (Р≤0.001).

Keywords: group housing; reproduction; season; sows

Date published: 2023-03-06