Growth rate and carcass quality of hybrid fatteners depending on the age of slaughter

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of age on the fattening performance qualities and carcasses slaughter value. The assessment covered 99 crossbred pigs (Danish Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc). The animals were subdivided into two groups with different slaughter age (159 and 169 days). The assessment covered fattening and post-slaughter characteristics. It has been proven that, at slaughter, younger crossbred pigs showed a higher growth rate than older pigs (P < 0.01). In addition, the former were fattened for a shorter period and consumed less feed across the entire fattening period as well as per 1 kg of gain. Carcasses of pigs older at slaughter were characterised by greater warm carcass weight and height of the loin muscle relative to group I carcasses (P < 0.01). Slaughter value of fatteners from both groups studied was very high, as each of the carcasses under assessment was classified under the most valuable categories S, E, and U.