A large amount of gilts were used in this study to determine the effects of space allowance during rearing. The gilts were put into pens of equal size but with either 15 gilts or 22 gilts per pen. After this the pigs were evaluated on backfat thickness and loin depth, they also had their feet and legs scored. The age of puberty was recorded when it was detected, and reproductive statistics were taken. It was determined that space allowance had no effect on growth in rearing, backfat thickness or loin depth, total production or removal rate. Although pigs who were kept with more space achieved puberty at a younger age than pigs kept in a smaller space. Gilts that reached puberty at a younger age had better growth rates, greater backfat thickness and produced more pigs over parities 1 to 3 than pigs who reached puberty later in life. Despite what was expected, the faster growth in rearing did not effect removal rate. Also the faster growing gilts had more parities and weren’t removed as frequently after their third parity as slow growing gilts. Space allowance had no effects on total pigs produced or removal rate but gilts that had more space reached puberty sooner and produced more pigs over the first three parities.

To read this complete article please visit: http://jas.fass.org/