Growth rate and carcass characteristics of indigenous (<i>Ashanti Dwarf</i>) pig

Abstract

Fourteen Ashanti Dwarf pigs were grouped according to sex and raised intensively after weaning. Each pig received feed equivalent of 5 per cent live weight daily. The feed contained about 18.4 per cent crude protein and 13.2 MJ (ME) per kilogram diet. The animals were weighed monthly. All the seven boars were castrated at 5 months of age. The growth rate of the males was higher than the females in the first 4 months. The females overtook the males in growth rate from the 5th month until they were slaughtered at the age of 10 months. Mean slaughter weight of females (60.5 kg) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the castrates (53.6 kg). Dressing percentage of castrates (79.1 per cent) was similar to that of the females (80.5 per cent). The percentage fat trimmed and carcass length of the females were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of the castrates. Primal cuts, 4 per cent lean cuts, back fat thickness, and Longissimus dorsi area were similar (P>0.05) for both sexes.


Ghana Jnl agric. Sci. Vol.31(2) 1998: 217-221