Effect of reduced floor space allowances on performance of crossbred weaner barrows

Study was conducted in 36 crossbred (Landrace x Desi) weaned male piglets (6 weeks of age) divided into three groups (n=12) based on space allocation viz. T₁ {0.9 m²/weaner pig- as per Indian Standards (IS)}, T₂ (0.6 m²/pig- 33% reduction of IS) and T₃ (0.45 m²/pig- 50% reduction of IS). The average initial (6 week) and final (14 week) body weight of weaner barrows were 8.67±0.26, 9.01±0.33, 9.13±0.36 kg and 19.57±1.19, 21.02±1.22, 21.55±1.28 kg for T₁, T₂ and T₃ groups, respectively. Average total body weight gain during the experimental period was 10.90±1.09, 12.01±0.97 and 12.42±1.19 kg for T₁, T₂ and T₃ groups, respectively. Average daily gain (ADG) of weaner barrows during the experimental period was 194.72±19.46, 214.44±17.37 and 221.73±21.23 g/day for T₁, T₂ and T₃ groups, respectively. The overall feed conversion efficiency (FCE) for T₁, T₂ and T₃ groups for whole period was 0.477±0.009, 0.447±0.006 and 0.461±0.011, respectively. Main economic indicators like ADG, FCE and health indicators like mean total lesion score and mean lesion score of body parts (except head and ears) did not differ significantly among groups and these values were within the acceptable limits. Even lowest k value (coefficient used for floor space allocation based on body weight of pigs) i.e. for T₃ group, was higher than suggested critical k value in western countries and performance of animals of this group were also not affected. Therefore, weaner barrows of up to 20 kg body weight can be reared in economically efficient manner using 0.45 m²/pig space allowance in Indian conditions.