Comparison of Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Blood Metabolites and Carcass Traits in Korean Native and Crossbred Weaning Piglets

Kim, K.H., Lohakare, J.D., Sen, S., Ingale, S.L., Singh, N.K., Park, C.K., Lee, Si., Ipper, N.S., Huan, L., Wang, M.H. and Chae, B.J. 2011. Comparison of growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood metabolites and carcass traits in Korean native and crossbred weaning piglets. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 11: 159-167. The present study elucidated the differences in early-weaned crossbred piglets (CBP) and Korean native black piglets (KNP) with respect to growth performance, nutrient utilization and related parameters when fed on similar diets using 16 each of CBP (Landrace x Yorkshire x Duroc) and KNP after weaning at 21 days of age. Eight piglets in each breed were slaughtered at weaning. Remaining piglets were reared for 21 days and then slaughtered. A common diet with 3500 kcal/kg ME and 22% CP was available for ad libitum consumption for piglets of each breed post-weaning. Blood was collected from these piglets before slaughter to study differences in plasma indices in both breeds. The initial BW was 5.09 +/- 0.84 and 3.57 +/- 0.34 kg for CBP and KNP, respectively. BW was higher (P < 0.001) at the start and at the end of the trial in CBP than KNP. The weekly measurements revealed higher (P < 0.05) ADO at 1(st), 3(rd) week and for overall period in CBP than KNP, and with a trend (P=0.086) for higher ADG at the 2(nd) week. The average daily feed intake was also higher (P < 0.05) in CBP than KNP at all measurements. The gain to feed ratio tended (P=0.056) to be lower in CBP in 1(st) week, but was not different at 2(nd) week, and it was improved for 3(rd) week and for the overall period in CBP than KNP. The apparent total tract digestibility, assessed at the end of the trial demonstrated higher (P < 0.05) digestibility of DM, GE, CP and P in CBP than KNP. The carcass percentage was higher (P < 0.05) at weaning in CBP than KNP, but was not different at 21 days after weaning. The plasma amylase tended to be higher (P=0.075) in CBP at weaning and total cholesterol was higher (P=0.035) in KNP at 21 days. No other plasma constituents were different among the breeds. Overall, this study demonstrated the differences in growth, nutrient digestibility, carcass weight and certain plasma constituents between CBP and KNP around weaning.