Growth and Carcass Measurements of Indigenous and Exotic Pigs Raised in Two Housing Systems in Papua New Guinea.

Abstract

Ten indigenous and 10 exotic pigs were housed individually either on dirt lots exposed to the elements or in small concrete floored pens. The dirt lots were unhygienic and infested with nematode parasites. There were significant breed differences for all parameters studied except dressing percentage. Housing system affected weight gain, food conversion ratio, dressing percentage and back fat over the eye muscle. There were no significant breed x housing interactions. Significant differences within breeds between litters were observed for a number of parameters.