Author : Boonlue Phuagphong

Summary : Thirty barrows and 30 gilts belonging to the Duroc breed were used in this experiment in a randomized complete block design to determine the production traits and carcass characteristics of hogs raised and slaughtered at different weights. One barrow and one gilt from the same litter were assigned at random to one of the slaughter weights. The hogs were raised to around 50,70, 90,110, and 130 kg liveweight which were designated as treatments I, II, III, IV, and V, respectively. This was replicated six times for production traits and carcass characteristics and five times for the lean-fat and skin-bone separation. Using average daily gain, feed conversion rate and gain efficiency as criteria, slaughter hogs may be raised up to 110 kg liveweight and still be profitable. Although the pigs raised up to 90 kg only were more efficient than the 110 kg pig using the above parameters, the differences were not significant. The growth rate of the animals after 110 kg started to decline.