In large litters birth weight and gender is decisive for growth performance but less for carcass and pork quality traits

Abstract

This study aimed to examine whether growth performance, carcass and meat quality traits differed among high (H), medium (M) and low (L) birth weight (BtW) gilts and barrows born from large litters (>16 piglets born alive). Regardless of gender, H pigs grew faster (P<0.05) during the suckler period than L and M pigs. From weaning to slaughter at 113 kg catch-up growth was observed in M barrows. In gilts and barrows percentage ham was greater (P<0.05) and percentage total subcutaneous fat was lower (P<0.10) in H compared to M and L pigs. Compared to L and M pigs, H pigs displayed in general better quality in the longissimus muscle whereas the opposite was observed in the semitendinosus muscle. The superiority of H compared to M and L BtW littermates regarding carcass and meat quality appears to be less evident when pigs originate from large litters.