Comparative study of growth, carcass characteristics and economics of crossbred, indigenous and exotic pigs

Abstract

A detailed investigation was carried out to compare the merits and demerits of crossbred pigs over indigenous and exotic pigs with respect to growth and carcass characteristics and to study the economic feasibility of rearing crossbred pigs. Three groups of twelve weaned female piglings each belonging to indigenous (Desi), Large White Yorkshire (LWY) and crossbred (CB) (LWY x Desi) of Centre for Pig Production and Research, Mannuthy were selected as uniform as possible with regard to age and body weight. Animals in each breed group were randomly divided into two equal dietary treatment groups of six. Treatment group one was fed with a ration specified by ICAR and treatment group two with a ration containing 10 per cent less crude protein than ICAR ration. All the pigs were fed isocaloric ration as per ICAR recommendation. The protein level in the ration had a moderate influence on the performance of grower pigs. There was a trend in favour of full rCAR ration with respect to the parameters like growth rate, feed conversion efficiency, average daily weight gain and carcass characteristics.

Everithough, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the two dietary regimes there was highly significant difference (Pdifference was noticed between Large White Yorkshire and Desi pigs with respect to traits such as feed intake, body weight, body measurements, average daily body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency. But there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between crossbreds and Desi Pigs in average daily body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency. Large White Yorkshire pigs had better digestibility than crossbred and De si pigs. The cost of production per kg live body weight was found to be less (Rs. 45.30) in reAR ration than 10 per cent less crude protein ration (Rs. 46.02) due to higher feed efficiency and better growth rate. The overall results obtained during the course of present study is that the unit cost of production is less for animals maintained on reAR ration. The present study also revealed that Large White Yorkshire had higher growth rate, better feed conversion efficiency, average daily weight gain and higher values for carcass traits when compared to crossbred and Desi pigs. So the cost of production per kg of live body weight was calculated, Large White Yorkshire had lowest cost of production when compared to crossbred and Desi pigs. But the cost of production per kg live body weight is lower for

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crossbred pigs maintained on 10 per cent less crude protein than ICAR ration. On the whole, Large White Yorkshire breed is most suited for large scale commercial piggery units. However, for the vast majority of extensive scavenging pig rearing systems under harsh environment, poor hygienic condition and low plane of nutrition the Desi pig has adapted albeit extremely low level of productivity. The Large White Yorkshire and similar exotic breeds with their highly sophisticated requirements are not likely to perform well in

these sub-standard production systems.

The Crossbreds

which showed production traits in between the two, i.e., higher than Desi but lower than Large White Yorkshire may fit In by adapting to the conditions and improving the productivity of the system. The fact that on low protein diet cost of production was lower than on full protein diet, points to that.