The effect of non genetic factors on litter weight at birth and weaning in Dalland pig breed of Zimbabwe

Authors

  • Never Assan Zimbabwe Open University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Agriculture Management, Bulawayo region, Box 3550, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
  • Tariro Patience Chibvongodze Lupane State University, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal science and Rangeland Management, 10th Floor, Pioneer House, Corner Fife Street/8th Avenue, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
  • T Moyo Lupane State University, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal science and Rangeland Management, 10th Floor, Pioneer House, Corner Fife Street/8th Avenue, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Keywords:

Non-genetic factors, Birth, Weaning, Dalland , Zimbabwe

Abstract

Non-genetic factors influencing litter weight at birth and weaning  were evaluated using the Dalland pig breed of Zimbabwe. The objective of the present study was to establish the non genetic factors which affect average litter weight at birth (ALBWT) and weaning  (ALWWT) in Dalland pig breed of Zimbabwe. Mixed classification models containing effects of sire, ages at first service, gestation length, teat number, litter size at birth, litter size at weaning and year of birth and weaning were used  for identification of non genetic factors. The  ALBWT and ALWWT data were analyzed using the General Linear Models (GLM) procedure of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS), 1996 to establish the significance of the non genetic factors.  The mean litter weight  at birth and  weaning  were 12.53±0.13 and 24.22±0.07, respectively. Sire line and age at first service  had  significant effects (p<0.05) on both ALBWT and ALWWT. Litter size at  birth and year of birth had significant effects (p<0.05) on average litter weight at birth, while  teat number  influenced average litter weight at weaning. Two way factor interactions for age at first service *teat number and    age at first service* sire line had a significant effect (p<0.05) on average litter weight at weaning. The lowest average litter weight  both at birth and weaning were observed when the litter size was largest, 15.63±0.17 and 24.64±0.25, respectively. The inconsistency of literature results on the influence of non genetic factors on average litter weight at birth  and weaning in pig production within specific  sow units and environment indicates the importance of estimation of environmental factors for different pig production entities is necessary. The  study  alludes to the complexity of the non genetic factors  influencing the  average litter at birth and weaning in pig production, hence the need to correct for such non genetic factors for accurate estimation of genetic parameters.

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Published

2014-06-29

How to Cite

Assan, N. ., Patience Chibvongodze, T. ., & Moyo, T. . (2014). The effect of non genetic factors on litter weight at birth and weaning in Dalland pig breed of Zimbabwe. Scientific Journal of Animal Science, 3(6), 167-175. Retrieved from http://sjournals.com/index.php/sjas/article/view/1509

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