The effect of mating age on the reproductive performance,food utilisation and liveweight change of the female pig

Sixty-four crossbred gilts were used to study the effect of mating at the first oestrus period following puberty. Puberty was induced at different ages by the introduction of the gilts to boars at either 160 or 200 days of age. Mating was delayed until second oestrus, when the mean age of the two groups was 197.8 and 237.2 days respectively. The difference of 39.4 ± 5.14 days was significant (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the number of weight of pigs born or reared in any of the first five parities. Thirty four sows (seventeen from each treatment) completed five parities. The gilts mated at 237 days of age consumed 159 ± 38 kg (P < 0.01) more food between 160 days of age and weaning their fifth litters. The gilts mated at the younger age consumed 6.2% less food per unit of weaner liveweight over the five litters. Initial differences in liveweight between the two groups had disappeared by the middle of the second pregnancy.