Animal Genetics Division, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar - 243 122, India.
1Veterinary College, G.A.U., S.K. Nagar - 385006, India.
Data from 1317 Landrace piglets were used to ascertain the effects of age at first farrowing and litter size at birth for growth traits performance by least squares analysis. The over all least squares means for BWB, BWS, BWF, BWX, BWW, BWT, DG-1 and DG-II were observed as: 1.37±0.01, 3.43±0.03, 5.55±0.05, 8.02±0.09, 10.89±0.11, 34.33±0.46, 169.97±1.95 and 279.09±4.83, respectively. The effect of first farrowing age was observed significant for majority of the growth traits, but optimum farrowing age wtih respect to better growth performance was 450–499 days. The effect of litter size was observed significant on BWB, BWX and BWT, whereas, other traits had a non-significant effect. However, the better and vigorous growth of piglets were observed in the litter size of 6–8 piglets (Utter Size group-II). Present study revealed that for optimum growth performance of piglets, selection should be emphasized at 450–499 days of first farrowing age and litter size of 6–8 piglets at birth.
