Vol. 7, Issue 10 (2018)

Author(s):
Swathi Y, Ravindra Reddy Y, Suresh Babu D, Ramana JV and Sharma GRK

Abstract:
A study was conducted to assess the effect of weaning age on post-weaning reproductive performance of crossbred sows. A total of eighteen crossbred sows were selected and weighed at 110^th day of gestation and farrowing. After weaning these sows were weighed and divided into three groups based on weaning age as Group-I (28 days of weaning age), Group-II (42 days of weaning age) and Group-III (56 days of weaning age). The body weight loss of sow due to lactation per piglet was significantly (PË‚0.01) higher in Group III (3.12 ± 0.17) compared to Groups I (1.63 ± 0.13) and II (2.14 ± 0.17). Weaning to estrus interval is significantly (PË‚0.01) lower in Group I (5.16 ± 0.54) compared to Group III (12.50 ±1.72) and did not differ with Group II (9.33 ± 0.95). Sows in Group I (151.50 ± 3.72) are with lowest and Group III (183.00 ± 1.71) with highest farrowing intervals. Litter size on subsequent farrowing was slightly higher in group III (10.16 ± 0.30) compared to Group II (9.50 ± 0.42) and lowest in Group I (9.33 ± 0.71). Based on the findings we can conclude that sows in Group I and II have better reproductive performance compared to Group III.