Comparative evaluation between F1 (Duroc × Hampshire) and Moura in the growing and finishing phases

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance, allometric measurements, organ weight and intestinal morphometry of F1 (Duroc × Hampshire) and Moura pigs. For this purpose, 12 animals aged approximately 70 days were used, distributed in a randomized block design. The animals were housed individually in stalls with a compact floor, equipped with dummy-type drinking fountains and masonry feeders. The animals were slaughtered at 180 days of age. Crossbred animals had higher feed consumption in phase growth II and throughout finishing, higher weight gain in all phases, better feed conversion in the first three phases and higher carcass yield (p < 0.05). There was an effect (p < 0.05) for the allometric measurements. F1 pigs had a lower relative spleen weight, higher intestinal villus height, a better villus height/crypt depth ratio and a larger absorptive area in the duodenum than Moura pigs. It can be concluded that the F1 pigs had better intestinal parameters and a greater area of contact with the food, which probably had a positive effect on the zootechnical indices. And allometric measurements such as chest circumference can be used to estimate the live weight of animals in the growing and finishing phases.