Body Weight and Biometric Parameters of Piglets Reared under Intensive System of Management in the Humid Tropic

Abstract

Purpose: A total of 60 pigs of both sexes (30 males and 30 females) reared under intensive system of management were randomly sampled and used in this study that lasted for 20 weeks, to assess the relationship between bodyweight and biometric parameters. Methodology: Data obtained for bodyweight (kg), height (cm), body length (cm) and heart girth (cm) were subjected to Bivariate Pearson Correlation, analysed using SPSS version 25. Findings: The result showed that despite higher numerical values recorded for female pigs, there were no correlation between sex and other body biometric parameters. However, body weight had strong correlation with other biometric parameters analysed. The body length had the highest direct contributions (r = 0.981) to body weight in male and female pigs respectively. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The forecast indices recorded in this work could be employed to predict bodyweight estimation and help in making management decision and breeding programs for genetic improvement in pigs.