CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF CROSSBRED LARGE WHITE YORKSHIRE PIGS UNDER DIFFERENT FEEDING REGIMENS

An experiment was conducted to assess the carcass characteristics of crossbred Large White Yorkshire pigs under different feeding regimes. A total of 32 weaned crossbred (Large White Yorkshire 75 % and Desi 25 %) piglets were selected at random and were divided into four groups consisting of eight piglets in each group and they were subjected to four different feeding treatments viz., 100 per cent concentrate (T1), 100 per cent swill (T2), 75 per cent swill and 25 per cent concentrate (T3), 50 per cent swill and 50 per cent concentrate feeding (T4). The pigs were reared upto 180 days of age and all the animals were slaughtered at the end of the experiment. Data on dressing percentage, back fat thickness, loin eye area and other carcass traits were recorded. Slaughter studies revealed that 75 per cent swill fed group had significantly (P<0.01) higher carcass weight, dressing percentage, loin eye area and carcass length than the other treatment groups. Back fat thickness was significantly (P<0.01) higher in 100 per cent swill than the other treatment groups.