Growth Performance of HD-K75 Pigs and the Influence of Non-Genetic Factors on Body Weight at Different Ages

Abstract

Pig farming is an important livelihood source in Northeast India, but productivity is limited by the availability of improved and well-adapted breeds. The HD-K75 pig, developed under ICAR-AICRP, combines high growth potential with local adaptability. However, growth performance is influenced by non-genetic factors such as season, sex, and parity, making their evaluation important for effective breeding and management. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the growth performance of HD-K75 pigs and to assess the effects of season of birth, sex, and parity on body weight at birth, weaning (42 days), five months, and eight months of age. Performance records of 1,416 HD-K75 pigs maintained at the nucleus herd of ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Pigs, Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Khanapara, Guwahati were utilized. Data were analysed by least-squares analysis of variance following the model of Harvey (1990), and subclass means were compared using Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The overall least-squares means (LSM ± SE) for body weight at birth, weaning, five months, and eight months of age were 1.059 ± 0.004, 11.779 ± 0.039, 45.178 ± 0.289, and 75.371 ± 0.515 kg, respectively. Season of birth exerted no significant effect on body weight at any of the ages studied. Sex had a significant influence only on birth weight, with male piglets being significantly heavier than females, whereas parity significantly affected body weight at birth and weaning but not at later ages. These findings indicate that HD-K75 pigs perform satisfactorily under the intensive management system practised at the nucleus herd and are well adapted to the agroclimatic conditions of Assam.