PhD

Detailed investigation was conducted to assess production performance and economics of Large White Yorkshire (LWY) and crossbred (75% LWY x 25% Desi) pigs under different management and environment conditions with respect to growth, carcass characteristics, biochemical parameters, serum lipid profile, serum mineral composition and the economic feasibility of farm and field level pig production systems.
Twelve weaned piglets each from two genetic groups, CB (T1) and LWY (T2) selected uniformly as far as possible with respect to age, sex and body weight maintained in the feeding and management conditions prevailing in Centre for Pig Production and Research for a period of six months constituted the control group. Thirty weaned piglets each from the two genetic groups, CB (T3) and LWY (T4) randomly allotted to ten farmers to get a minimum of three piglets from both group, formed the field unit. The field animals were maintained on swill feed for the same period of six months.
The T3 and T4 groups in the field attained more body weight 66.37 kg and 72.25 kg at slaughter (P<0.01) than their counterparts T1 and T2, which attained an average slaughter weight of 55.4 and 60.1 kg. At five months,CB (T3) in the field weighed significantly higher (P<0.01) than the CB (T1) in the farm and the trend continued in the sixth month also (P<0.05). But at the end of sixth month, LWY (T4) in the field weighed (P<0.05) more than the CB (T3). The mean average daily body weight gain of LWY (T4) in the field was 341 gram, significantly higher than LWY (T2) in the farm (P<0.01) which attained only 265 grams. Both the genetic groups in the field registered a higher feed conversion efficiency than farm animals.
Body weight was well correlated with body measurements. Significant difference in length was observed from fifth month onwards and the trend continued till slaughter. Height of the experimental animals showed significant difference during the last two months. Body girth showed significant difference in the fifth month where CB (T3) and LWY (T4) had significantly (P<0.01) more girth than LWY (T2) pigs.
Proximate analysis of different feed stuffs fed to animals in the field revealed a high moisture content for vegetable waste followed by hotel waste and chicken offal. Chicken offals had the highest CP followed by vegetable waste and hotel waste. The ether extract value was highest for chicken offal (40.2) followed by hotel and vegetable waste at 21.2 and 22.32 respectively.
When compared with NRC requirements (1998) for growing stock, concentrate feed and chicken offals had all essential amino acids in plenty whereas hotel waste and vegetable waste fed alone was deficient in eight and five essential amino acids respectively. In the case of finishing stock, hotel waste was deficient in four and vegetable waste in three essential amino acids.
Carcass characteristics did not vary significantly among the four groups with respect to carcass length, loin eye area and hot deboned meat. The field animals had a significantly higher (P<0.01) back fat thickness than animals in the farm. Maximum dressing percentage was observed for CB (T3) in the field and was higher than (P<0.01) LWY (T2) in the farm. Animals in the field also excelled in meat bone ratio.
Serum mineral concentrations were within the normal range for all the four treatment groups. Serum lipid profile also showed no significant difference except for triglycerides which was significantly higher (P<0.01) for the field animals. Biochemical parameters also showed no significant difference except for total and direct bilirubin which was significantly higher (P<0.01) in field animals.
Comparison of housing pattern showed that all pig houses in the field under study were not provided with uncovered area, wallowing tank and manger and more than 80 per cent of them had thatched roof.
The average cost of production of one kg fattener pig was Rs.64.56 and Rs.66.16 for CB (T1) and LWY (T2) in the organised farm and Rs.21.92 and Rs.23.45 for CB (T3) and LWY (T4) maintained on swill feeding in the field.