Níveis de restrição alimentar para suínos híbridos Duroc machos imunocastrados e fêmeas em recria e terminação

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of different feeding curves (FC) on the performance, carcass yield, and meat quality of hybrid Duroc pigs during the growing and finishing phases. We used immunocastrated males (IC) and females crossbred from hybrid sows (Landrace × Large White) with Duroc terminal boars. The animals were distributed into two sex groups and three feeding curves: ad libitum feeding (AL), feeding curve 1 (FC1): -15% compared to AL, and feeding curve 2 (FC2): -25% compared to AL. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased as the feed restriction increased, and it was better in IC males than females. Feed restriction reduced daily feed intake (DFI) and daily weight gain (DWG), leading to increased slaughter age and days in the finishing phase. The feeding curves did not influence carcass characteristics such as hot carcass weight (HCW), cold carcass weight (CCW), and carcass yield (CY). However, loin weight and yield were affected by feed restriction, which was higher (P<0.05) in FC1. The sex group significantly influenced (P<0.05) carcass yield, with females showing higher yield and heavier cuts, such as leg, belly, rack, and jowl (P<0.05). Feeding management did not affect meat quality, although females exhibited higher marbling (P<0.05). We concluded that the feed restrictions imposed by the FC improved FCR in IC males but reduced DFI and DWG. Additionally, females showed higher yields, heavier cuts, and better marbling than males.