1Part of M.V.Sc. thesis work submitted to Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad
2Department of LPM (Animal), C.V.Sc, Tirupti (For Correspondence)
3AICRP on Pigs, C.V.Sc, Tirupati.
4Department of LPM (Avian), C.V.Sc, Tirupati.
Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science, Angrau, Tirupati-517 502, India
Three groups of piglets with a number of 24 piglets from three farrowed sows in each group weaned at 28, 42 and 56 days (Control) of age used in a completely randomized design for the post weaning growth studies of piglets. There exists a significant (P<0.01) difference in growth rates between test groups in comparison to control, where the piglets weaned at 28 days had shown the least growth rates. No significant difference was observed in the ADG, average daily feed intake and FCR. The FCR was marginally lower in early weaned piglets (group-1) compared to group-2 and control. The early weaning had much beneficial effect on growth rates of piglets and within the test groups weaning at 42 days of age was superior.
Weaning, growth rate, feed intake, feed conversion efficiency ratio
