An analysis of reproductive performance in pigs based on records of performance of the boar

1977 ◽  
Vol 17 (85) ◽  
pp. 256 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Baharin ◽  
RG Beilharz

The reproductive performance of 308 boars with total records of 9220 matings from a large commercial farm was analysed. The boars were purebred Large White, Landrace and from the newly synthesized M breed and were mated to purebred and crossbred sows of the same breeds. The M breed was derived from crossing between Large White and Landrace pigs with foundation females selected on the basis of their ability to produce large litters. Over half the total records were from matings with sows of parity 1 and parity 2. Overall production statistics were 78.8 per cent conception rate, an average total litter size of 9.3 pigs born per litter, 6.5 per cent stillbirths, an average litter weight (live piglets) at birth of 12.2 kg, average birth weight per piglet of 1.43 kg and average gestation length of 11 5 days. Most of the traits analysed showed significant effects due to parity of dams, with performance increasing from parity 1 to parity 6 to 8, after which the performance began to decline. There were significant heterosis effects (mainly maternal) on reproduction of the sows and survival performance of the litters resulting in an estimated improvement of 11 per cent in number of live pigs born, 12.4 per cent in total litter weight at birth and 35 per cent reduction in stillbirths. Heritability estimates were generally low for most traits except for boar conception rate which was moderate (0.29).

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
MAMY Khandoker ◽  
N Afini ◽  
A Azwan

An experiment was conducted at AZ-Zahra Farm, Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia to investigate the productive and reproductive performance of Saanen dairy goat. Body weight at different ages were collected once while birth weight was collected when does gave birth. On the other hand, milk production of each individual per day was received continuously for three months. The data on reproductive parameters such as length of estrus cycle, duration of estrus period, age at puberty, gestation length, age at first kidding, litter size, birth weight and kid mortality were noted. Descriptive statistics such as number, percentage, mean, standard deviation were performed. T-test was also conducted to know the statistical difference between the groups. Result demonstrated that body weight increases significantly (p<0.01) with the advancement of the age. The highest daily milk yield was found in 2-3 years of age. Dam with multiple kids produced more milk than dam with single kid. Estrus cycle of Saanen goats was found 21 days, the average estrus period duration was 2.75 days, age at puberty was 8.33 months, first kidding age was 14.2 months and gestation period was 150 days on an average. With the increase of the age of dam litter size increased. Meanwhile average birth weight increased as age of dam increased from 2.85 kg in 1 year to 3.26 kg in 3 years. Male kids born heavier than females (3.23±0.62 vs. 2.75±0.58 kg) and single kids were heavier than twin kids (3.07±0.66 kgvs2.70±0.28 kg). Low mortality rate of kids was recorded in this study (6.4%). It can be concluded that the overall productive and reproductive performances of Saanen goat at AZ-Zahra farm were within the acceptable level and the variation recorded in different parameters is very much usual. Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2018. 47 (1): 1-12


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 61-65
Author(s):  
I. K. ODUBOTE ◽  
J. O. AKINOKUN

Fifty two litters obtained over a period of 8 months (December 1986-July 1987) from the mating of eight bucks with twenty nine does (first mating) and twenty three does (second mating) all belonging to the New Zealand White breed of rabbits were used in this analysis. Mean gestation length, number of mating to conception, litter size at birth and parturition interval were 31.6 ± 0.2 days, 1.4 ± 0.1, 5.6 ± 0.3 pups and 79.0 ± 14.5 days respectively. Litter weight at birth, 3,6 and 8 weeks of age were 230.4 ± 9.5g, 602.1 ± 35.6g, 1247.5 ± 81.5g and 1673.0 ± 112.3g respectively. Parity significantly (P <0.05) affected the number of mating to conception and litter birth weight. Litter weight at all ages were influenced (P<.01) by corresponding litter sizes at such ages. Sire neither had any effect on litter weight at all ages nor on any of the reproductive parameters studied. Litter size at birth was negatively correlation with gestation length (-0.08), number of matings to conception (-0.27) and average birth weight (-0.42). 


2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 357-361
Author(s):  
J.O. Oyedeji ◽  
G.O. Imagbenikaro

The study examined the effect of cooling on the reproductive performance of gilts using 27 Large White Experimental Gilts on a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 systems of cooling, namely Wallow Cooling (WC), Sprinkler Cooling (SC) and Zero Cooling (ZC). Gilts were weighed at the commencement of the experiment and thereafter fed ad libitum from service to farrowing. Feed intake till farrow, feed cost, gilt weight at farrow, date of farrow, litter size and weight were recorded. The feed/piglet weight, feed intake/litter, feed cost/litter and birth weight/piglet were derived. The results showed that feed intake per litter and feed per piglet weight were highest for gilts placed on WC(P< 0.05), followed by SC and least for sow placed on ZC; gilt weight before farrow was highest for sow placed on SC (69.78±0.92), followed by ZC (69.33±0.94) and least for gilts placed on WC (67.33±0.87); litter sizes of gilts placed under the WC and SC systems were similar (5.6±0.41) while that under the ZC system was comparatively smaller (5.4±0.40);while the date of farrow was lowest in the ZC system (113.8±0.32) followed by SC (114.0±0.33) and highest under the WC (114.1±0.33). However, the feed intake per litter, feed per piglet weight, litter sizes of gilts, birth weight per piglet of gilts and the average date of farrow among gilts placed on WC, SC and ZC were not statistically different at 5% level of significance. Though, there is no significant difference in the performance among gilts placed on WC, SC and ZC, temperature regulation through provision of efficient cooling system in piggery would help to increase litter size, improve feed intake per litter and reduce the average cost of feeding gilt per day in maximizing reproductive performances in pigs.Keywords: Cooling, gilts, service, farrow, piggery, litter size, piglet and birth weight


2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 434-441
Author(s):  
R. Klimas ◽  
A. Klimienė ◽  
W. Sobotka ◽  
W. Kozera ◽  
P. Matusevičius

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of parity on reproductive performance by sows of different breeds. The sows were raised on three farms, and had seven or more litters of not fewer than seven piglets. A total of 1511 litters from various parities of Lithuanian White (N =721), Large White (N = 162) and Landrace (N = 628) sows were contained in the data that were used in this study. Multiparous sows had larger litters than primiparous sows. Piglet survival rate declined from parity 7. An increase in litter size was observed until parity 5 in Large White and until parity 6 in improved Lithuanian White (P <0.05). In comparison with parity 1, Landrace sows up to parity 5 showed not only increased prolificacy, but also increased number and litter weight of piglets at 21 days old, and the number and litter weight of weaned piglets (P <0.01). The current findings indicate that sows of these breeds can be used effectively in breeding herds until parity 5 and parity 6.Keywords: Landrace, Large White, Lithuanian White, litter size


1995 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. Lee ◽  
C. S. Haley

AbstractGrowth and survival from birth to weaning were monitored during three generations of crossbreeding between British Large White (LW) and Chinese Meishan (MS) pigs. The design allowed comparisons between sow genotypes ranging from zero to all MS genes, which were mated toLWor MS boars, to produce progeny with proportions of 0·0 to 0·5 or 0·5 to 1·0 MS genes, respectively. Crossbreeding parameters of both maternal and direct piglet performance were estimated for the first two parities using restricted maximum likelihood (REML) methods for litter traits (litter weight at birth, litter mean and within litter standard deviation of piglet weight at birth, proportion surviving to weaning, litter size and weight at weaning and litter mean piglet weight at weaning) and for traits of the piglet (birth weight, probability of survival and weaning weight). For litter traits, the estimated contribution of the additive maternal effect to the breed differences (MS-LW) was significant for litter mean piglet birth weight (–0·46 (s.e. 0·04) kg), survival to weaning (0·15 (s.e. 0·02)), litter size at weaning (1·6 (s.e. 0·16) piglets), litter weaning weight (–11·2 (s.e. 3·8) kg) and litter mean piglet weaning weight (2·54 (s.e. 0·24) kg). Adding litter size and litter mean piglet birth weight to the model removed the additive maternal contribution to the breed differences in survival, and litter size and reduced that for litter mean piglet weaning weight. The contribution of the direct additive effect to the breed difference (MS-LW) was significant for the within litter standard deviation in birth weight (0·018 (s.e. 0·006)), survival to weaning (0·12 (s.e. 0·02)) and litter size (1·12 (s.e. 0·64)) and weight (11·6 (s.e. 4·0) kg) at weaning, but not for piglet weight at birth or weaning. Fitting litter size and litter mean birth weight had comparatively little impact on the direct additive effects. There were significant maternal heterosis effects for litter weight at birth and litter size and weight at weaning, the estimated deviation of the F1 from the midpoint of the two purebreds 3·22 (s.e. 0·55) kg, 2·20 (s.e. 0·47) piglets, and 20·1 (s.e. 3·3) kg respectively, but none for survival or piglet weights. There were direct heterosis effects for litter weight and litter mean piglet weights, the estimated deviation of the Fjfrom the mid point of the two purebreds being 1·16 (s.e. 0·41) kg and 0·14 (s.e. 0·02) kg, for survival to weaning (0·04 (s.e. 0·02)) and for litter weight (11·2 (s.e. 2·5) kg) and litter mean piglet weight (0·96 (s.e. 0·17) kg) at weaning. Fitting litter size and litter mean piglet birth weight removed or reduced both maternal and direct heterosis effects. Individual piglet analyses gave similar results to analyses of the equivalent sow trait. It was concluded that in litters born to MS cows, the lower piglet survival and lower weaning weights were related to the larger litter sizes and lower piglet birth weights. For their birth weight, however, MS piglets have a greater ability to survive and thrive. The large direct and maternal heterosis effects observed for litter and mean piglet weight at weaning werepartly associated with the heavier birth weight of the crossbred piglet.


1984 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 465-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. G. Partridge ◽  
S. J. Allan ◽  
M. Findlay ◽  
W. Corrigall

ABSTRACTFour groups of does (16 per group) were remated either 1, 7, 14 or 21 days after parturition over a 1-year production cycle. Doe mortality rate was independent of treatment and overall was 0·27. The remating interval after parturition had no effect on conception rate, which was high on all treatments (0·86 to 0·93). The high overall conception rate resulted in more litters being born as the parturition to remating interval decreased. Expressed on a common 365-day experimental period the number of litters per doe was 8·9, 8·5, 7·8 and 6·7 (average s.e. of difference 0·33) for treatments 1, 7, 14 and 21 respectively. Litter size was not significantly affected by treatment and consequently the number of pups born per doe per year increased as remating interval decreased: 75·0, 73·4, 67·4 and 591 respectively. Pup mortality rate at birth and subsequently was high (0·42) on all treatments and the number of pups weaned per doe per year for treatments 1, 7, 14 and 21 was 48·3, 43·5, 40·0 and 33·3 respectively. Pup birth weight, 21-day litter weight and weaning (25-day) weight were all unaffected by treatment, as was doe body-weight change.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-210
Author(s):  
M. I. Z. Moni ◽  
M. A. Samad

Background: The Black Bengal goat (BBG) is well adapted food animals with profitable productive and reproductive traits being naturally reared to enhance economic status and food security in rural people. Bangladesh government has taken program through establishment of ‘Government Goat Development Farms’ (GGDF) to enhance the goat rearing activities of the smallholders at rural level but the research reports on the productive and reproductive performances of goats in these GGDF are very limited. Objective: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the productive and reproductive performances of the BBG reared in semi-intensive system at the Rajshahi GGDF Materials and Methods: The Rajshahi GGDF had 398 goat populations of which 121 does were selected to study the productive and reproductive performances during the period from July 2010 to June 2011. The age of first estrus, conception rate by natural service, gestation length, post-partum heat, kidding interval, litter size, survivability of kids, morbidity and mortality of kids and their seasonal influence were studied. Results: The age of young female BBG showed 1st estrus varied from 180 to 270 with an average of 204  27 days. The conception rate varied from 88 to 100 with an average of 97% with natural services. The gestation length varied from 145 to 182 with an average of 150  5 days. The post-partum heat period varied from 60 to 90 days with an average of 69  7 days. The kidding interval varied from 199 to 268 with an average of 219  13 days. The litter size varied from 1 to 3 with an average of 2. Out of 234 kids borne, 47.44% were male and 52.56% female with higher mortality in male (10.81%) than female (5.69%) with an overall average mortality of 8.12%. There was no significant influence of season and parity on the birth weight of kids. However, the heavier birth weight of kids was recorded in male (1.38 kg) than female (1.17kg) kids. The birth of twin kids (56.41%) was found significantly (p < 0.0001) highest in comparison to triplets (26.92%), single (11.54%) and quadruplet (5.13%). Conclusions: The results support promising breeding and reproductive efficiency of BBG under local environmental conditions and therefore, there is a need to be improved milk yield of dam and control of morbidity and mortality in BBG kids. It may be concluded that the productive and reproductive performances of the BBG reared by using semi-intensive system of management appears to be encouraging at the Rajshahi GGDF which could be extended and compared to research findings with other four GGDF in Bangladesh.


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
Yingjie Wu ◽  
Ang Zhao ◽  
Yinghe Qin

<p>In order to establish a lighting regime suitable for rabbit farms in East China, the effects of lighting schedule, intensity and colour on the reproductive performance of rabbit does were evaluated by three experiments, respectively. In experiment 1, does were exposed to different lighting schedules: 16L:8D-continuous, 16L:8D-18d (6 d before artificial insemination (AI) to 12 d post-AI), 16L:8D-6d (6 d before AI to the day of AI) and 12L:12D-continuous. In experiment 2, does were exposed to different light intensities: 40 lx, 60 lx, 80 lx and 120 lx. In experiment 3, does were exposed to different light colours: white, yellow, blue and red. For all experiments, conception rate, kindling rate and pre-weaning mortality were calculated; litter size at birth, litter weight at birth, litter size at weaning, litter weight at weaning and individual kit weight at weaning were recorded. Results showed that none of the reproductive parameters of does were affected by the application of 16L:8D-18d lighting schedule compared with the continuous 16L:8D group(<em>P</em>&gt;0.05). Moreover, rabbits does exposed to 80 lx light performed as well as those under 120 lx light in conception rate, kindling rate, litter size (total and alive) at birth and litter weight at birth (<em>P</em>&gt;0.05). Furthermore, the exposures of 60 lx and 80 lx light were beneficial for litter weight at weaning. In addition, red light had a positive effect, as it led to a larger litter size and litter weight at weaning and lower pre-weaning mortality than white light (<em>P</em>&lt;0.05). In summary, a 16L:8D photoperiod with 80 lx red light from 6 d before AI to 12 d post-AI is recommended for use in breeding of rabbit does according to our results.</p>


Author(s):  
O D Davies

Vasectomised boars are already in use on some commercial farms for detecting and synchronising oestrus, especially in gilts. Increasing the number of matings a sow receives during oestrus has been found to increase subsequent litter size and conception rate (Reed 1982, Tilton and Cole 1982). If vaginal-uterine stimulation is the underlying cause for this reproductive improvement, then similar effects should be possible using vasectomised boars.A total of 200 Large White/Landrace cross sows were weaned at 4 to 5 weeks and housed adjacent to mature fertile boar where physical contact was possible through a barred gate. The sows were inspected for signs of oestrus each morning and, if receptive, were given a single mating with a fertile boar. Approximately 3 hours later, alternate sows were penned with a vasectomised boar and one service was supervised. These sows remained with the vasectomised boar overnight and were then remated with the original boar. The control sows were also remated with a fertile boar, 24 hours after the first service.From weaning to service all sows were offered 2.7 kg of a 155 g/kg crude protein, barley based sow nut. After service this was reduced to 2.2 kg per day.


1960 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Pomeroy

1. An analysis of pre-weaning mortality in inbred Large White pigs showed that the over-all mortality in ten generations of sows was 47·3%. During the first four generations mortality fluctuated between 30 and 45%; from the 5th to the 9th it fluctuated between 50 and 68% and in the 10th rose to 88%.2. 70·2% of all deaths occurred in the first 3 days post-parturition and the average birth weight of pigs which died within 3 days was only 1003·5 g. compared with 1258·5 g. for those which survived. 83·0% of pigs weighing less than 900 g. at birth died within 3 days, whereas only 18·5% of pigs weighing more than 1400 g. died within the same period.3. There were marked seasonal variations in mortality, this being highest during the winter months. Mortality was highest in litters of under 5 and over 15, but between 5 and 15 there was no increase in mortality with litter size. There was no difference in mortality between males and females.4. Foetal growth was studied in 80 outbred sows of various breeds. Foetal weight was affected not only by age but also by litter size. The withinlitter variation in foetal weight increased with litter size but no increase in between-litter variation with litter size could be demonstrated statistically. Male foetuses were slightly heavier than females at all stages of pregnancy investigated.5. The growth of the inbred Large White foetus was also studied at an early and late stage of inbreeding, and the reduced birth weight in the latter was shown to be reflected in slower growth of the foetus from mid-pregnancy onwards.6. The anatomical composition of inbred Large White foetuses at a late stage of inbreeding has been compared with that of similar foetuses at an earlier stage and also with normal outbred Essex foetuses, at 51, 74, 97 and 108 days of pregnancy. The chemical composition of inbred Large White foetuses of a later stage of inbreeding was compared with that of outbred Essex foetuses at 51, 74, 97 and 108 days. The differences in anatomical composition between the smallest and largest foetuses within litters are comparable with those found postnatally in pigs fed on a high or low plane of nutrition, but this was not reflected in a very definite way in the chemical composition. X-ray photographs showed that ossification was more advanced in the largest foetus within a litter than in the smallest but the appearance of the ossification centres was not delayed in the latter.7. Attempts to make reciprocal ovum transfers between inbred Large White and outbred Essex sows met with little success, probably due to the low fertility of the Large Whites, the prolonged exposure of the ovum during transference and the necessity of effecting the transfer of the ova at the 2-cell stage. The latter was conditioned by the rate of passage of the ova through the tube and the fact that they enter the uterus in the 4-cell stage.


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