Copyright © Society of Animal Science, Department of Livestock & Avian Science, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka http://www.wayambajournal.com Wayamba Journal of Animal Science – ISSN: 2012-578X; P927-P929, 2014 First Submitted December 20, 2013; Number 1387520851 PREWEANING AVERAGE DAILY GAIN – A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF 50 AND 75 PER CENT LARGE WHITE YORKSHIRE CROSSES D.Cauveri 1 , P.Devendran 2 and T.Sivakumar 3 Livestock Research Station, Kattupakkam – 603 203. India 1 Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai 600 007, Tamilnadu, India 2 Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Veterinary College and Research, Institute, Orathanadu, Thanjavur District. Tamilnadu, India 3 College of Food and Dairy Technology, Koduvalli, Chennai – 600 052, India Data on body weights of 232 piglets of Large White Yorkshire crosses 50 (n=70) and 75 (n=162) per cent belonging to F 3 generation were recorded from birth to weaning at weekly intervals at the AICRP on Pigs of Livestock Research Station, Kattupakkam. The preweaning growth rates as Average Daily Gain at two weeks interval up to weaning were subjected to Least squares analysis. The overall mean birth weight was 1.16 ± 0.01 kg and the mean growth rate in the period between 0-2 weeks was 140.04 ± 0.04 g. The average daily weight gains during 2-4, 4-6 and 6-8 (weaning) periods were 158.14 ± 0.05, 173.17 ± 0.06 and 245.89 ± 0.08 g respectively. The 50 per cent LWY crosses showed significantly (P < 0.01) higher average daily gains in the period from birth to two weeks and 4-6 weeks. The 75 per cent cross showed significantly (P<0.05) higher average daily gain in 2-4 weeks period and there was no significant difference in the growth rates between the genetic groups during the 6-8 weeks period. The influence of sex on the average daily weight gain was significant (P < 0.05) in the sixth week to weaning period. Key words: Preweaning, Large White Yorkshire crosses, Average daily gain Pig genetic resources in India is having a very low commercial value . Yet the meat industry is fast developing and pig is becoming an important source of meat. Improvement of non-descript desi pigs is generally done by crossing with Large White Yorkshire. Efficient pig production largely depends on the pre-weaning weights. The average daily gain is an important economic trait and has a greater impact on the growth and productivity. The present study documents the pre-weaning growth rate of Large White Yorkshire crosses (50% and 75%). MATERIALS AND METHODS Body weight of 232 Large White Yorkshire (LWY) crossbred piglets belonging to two genetic groups viz. 50 % LWY (LWY x Desi; n=70) and 75 % LWY (50% LWY x LWY; n=162) were recorded from birth to weaning at weekly intervals. All the pigs were farm-bred and raised under similar feeding, housing and other management practices. The pre-weaning growth rates as Average Daily Gain (ADG) at two weeks interval from birth up to weaning in individuals which were not showing negative growth rates were computed. The data was cross classified according to the genetic group and sex to understand the effect of these factors on the average daily weight gain and the heritability measures were also estimated by Least squares analyses (Harvey 1990). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The least-squares mean of ADG in pre weaning body weights of Large White Yorkshire crosses are presented in the Table 1. Birth to two weeks The overall mean birth weight and the second week body weight were 1.16 ± 0.01 and 2.50 ± 0.04 kg respectively. The average daily gain during this period was 140.24 ± 0.04 g. The ADG in case of the 75 % crosses were 128.92 ± 0.04 g which was significantly (P < 0.01) lower than that of P 927 Copyright © Society of Animal Science, Department of Livestock & Avian Science, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka http://www.wayambajournal.com