Effect of Floor Space Restriction on Age at Puberty in Gilts and on Performance of Barrows and Gilts

Abstract

Purebred and crossbred pigs were reared in pens with variable floor space per pig to evaluate the effect of crowding on performance of barrows and gilts and on puberty in gilts. For pigs restricted to 75% of the floor space available to controls, average daily gain and feed efficiency were not different from those of controls; whereas, for pigs restricted to 50% of the floor space available to controls average daily gain and feed efficiency decreased (P<.01), but feed intake was not affected significantly. The proportion of gilts reaching puberty by eight months of age and the average age at first estrus were not affected by rearing gilts in crowded pens. Results from this study indicate that crowding is not a primary factor contributing to delayed puberty in gilts reared under total confinement systems of management. Copyright © 1978. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1978 by American Society of Animal Science.