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Influence of regrouping strategy on performance, behaviour and carcass parameters in pigs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 November 2017

N. E. O’Connell ,
V. E. Beattie  and
D. Watt
N. E. O’Connell*
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, Hillsborough, Co. Down, BT26 6DR, U.K.
V. E. Beattie
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, Hillsborough, Co. Down, BT26 6DR, U.K.
D. Watt
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, Hillsborough, Co. Down, BT26 6DR, U.K.
*
Email: niamh.o’connell@dardni.gov.uk
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Extract

Large variations in weight within groups of pigs at slaughter lead to either (1) inefficient use of resources as some pigs have to be retained for longer periods in finishing accommodation than others, or (2) large variation in carcass weights, which creates problems for processors. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of creating uniform weight groups at weaning at 4 weeks of age, or at the start of the finishing period at 10 weeks of age, on coefficient of variation in slaughter and carcass weight. The effect of these regrouping strategies on mean production performance during the growing and/or finishing periods was also assessed. In addition, the effect of regrouping pigs at the start of the finishing period on aggressive behaviour was assessed.

Type
Theatre Presentations
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science , Volume 2005 , 2005 , pp. 81
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2005

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