INFLUENCE OF THE GROUP SIZE OF FATTENING PIGS ON THEIR WELFARE AND PRODUCTIVITY

M. Kirov, D. Kanev, T. Nikolova

Abstract: In Agricultural institute - Shumen was carried out an experiment with 38 fattening pigs from Danube white breed, divided into three groups with different size (8 pigs, 12 pigs and 18 pigs). The obtained results indicate that in fattening pigs divided into groups with different size and floor area of 1.2 m2/capita a leadership in these groups has been observed during the first week. The setting up of a stable hierarchical structure is a longer period. In the biggest group the hierarchical structure has been set up for three weeks.
The difference between the investigated groups is bigger during the period of movement at the beginning than at the end of the fattening period. The difference is the same as more active and restless were the pigs from bigger groups.
The highest percent of the lean meat – 57,76% in pigs from the second group has been established because of the big thickness of m. LD and the relatively thin fat.
Regarding the gain and the cost of feed for receiving a kilo of gain the differences between pigs in groups, fattened in floor area of 1.2 m2/capita are insignificant.
From the ethologic point of view we can accept the area of 1.2 m2/capita for insuring better welfare of pigs.

Keywords: area; behavior; fattening; lean meat

Date published: 2017-05-16