ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to determine the effects of genotype and generation on the growth performance traits of three breeds of pigs. A total of 18 weaner gilts and 6 weaner boars of genotypes derived from the Duroc, the Landrace and the Large White genotypes of the domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) respectively were used for foundation stock bred to raise the F1 stock which comprised 72 pigs of 24 pigs of both male and female were also used for the study. The animals comprised 6 weaner gilts per genotype which were randomly selected and placed in two replicate pens of 3 gilts and a boar per genotype were used for this study. Feed and water were given ad-libitum throughout the experimental period. The parent generation was heavier than their F1 generation in all the weeks of experimentation in mean body weight. The Duroc parent was the heaviest at the beginning of the trial and still the heaviest at 36 weeks of age which indicates a constant increase in body weight, followed closely by the Large White and lastly the Landrace breeding group. The progeny generation was significantly higher than their parents in heart girth and also in all the weeks across breeds, progeny generation had broader body girths compared to their parents. From the findings, it is concluded that both breed and generation had effects on the growth traits studied and as a result of insinuated inbreeding coefficient effect on the body weight, a cross breeding, programme is suggested using the Large White to cross the Duroc or the Landrace breeds. |
