Assessment of reproductive and growth performances of pig breeds in the peri-urban area of Douala (Equatorial Zone)
Journal Title: Open Veterinary Journal - Year 2015, Vol 5, Issue 1
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive and growth performances of pig breeds in Douala, Cameroon. The reproductive performance of gilts and multiparous sows (38 per group) from 8 selected farms were monitored and controlled. Thereafter, piglets were controlled from birth to weaning age. The age at first service (AFS), fertility index (FI), fecundity, age at first farrowing (AFF), weight at first farrowing (WtFF) and litter size (LS) of gilts were 179.97 ± 25.40 days; 1.76 ± 0.77; 100 ± 0.00; 350.47 ± 40.58 days; 107.26 ± 31.85 kg and 7.18 ± 1.93 piglets, respectively. In sows, the FI, fecundity, LS and farrowing interval (FarI) were 1.13 ± 0.34; 100 ± 0.00; 9.03 ± 2.14 piglets and 179.63 ± 25.14 days, respectively. FI and LS were better in sows compared to gilts (P = 0.000). The sex ratio was 0.63. Local breed animals reared in semi-modern farms and fed mixed feed showed the lowest WtFF. In piglets, the average birth weight (kg), the average weaning weight (kg), age at weaning (days) and survival rate (%) until weaning were 1.32 ± 0.20, 10.60 ± 1.41, 56.86 ± 8.24 and 48.43, respectively. These results indicated that reproductive performance is strongly influenced by breed, feed and farm type.
Authors and Affiliations
J. Kouamo| School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, P.O. BOX 454, Ngaoundere, Cameroon, W. F. Tassemo Tankou| School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, P.O. BOX 454, Ngaoundere, Cameroon, A. P. Zoli| School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, P.O. BOX 454, Ngaoundere, Cameroon, G. S. Bah| Regional Center of the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD) Wakwa. P.O. BOX 65, Ngaoundere, Cameroon, A. C. Ngo Ongla| DDPIA, MINEPIA (Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry), Yaounde-Cameroon
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