The effect of mixing unfamiliar individuals on the growth and production of finishing pigs

摘要: The effect on productivity of mixing finishing pigs from different litters was studied. Two hundred and ten Yorkshire × Landrace about 76 kg were assigned in groups six to each four treatments. In treatment 1, retained as unmixed littermates while treatments 2 3, three one litter mixed with another litter. Additionally 3 injected a tranquilizer prior mixing. 4, five introduced into the pen either lighter weight or heavier pig. All housed 6·65 m2 partially slatted pens fed communal food trough. Besides promoting aggression fighting, significantly depressed productivity, both short-and long-term economic returns. Over 3-week experimental period proportional live-weight gains observed over those groups, substantial: 0·099 3: 0·141 tranquilizer-treated 0·127 5: 1 groups. Consequently, would necessitate additional inputs food, housing, labour because increased days market. not only did eliminate fighting but had negative production thus contra-indicated expense. Introducing single pig group an occupied also lowered production, moving without However, effects short lived minimal influences overall productivity.