Influence of feeding level on growth and carcass characteristics of Alentejano pig

24 Alentejano pigs allocated in individual pens (1 x 2 m) at outdoor were used. At 40 kg of LW animals were divided into 3 groups. Group I was fed a commercial diet (15% CP, 3100 kcal DE) offered at 85% of Ad Libitum. Group II was fed the same diet offered at 90% Ad Libitum between 40 and 80 kg of LW and at 70% Ad Libitum until slaughter. For group III the diet was offered at 95% Ad Libitum between 40 and 60 kg of LW, at 85% Ad Libitum between 60 and 80 kg of LW and at 70% of Ad Libitum since 80 kg LW until slaughter. All pigs were slaughtered at 100 kg LW. Feeding level affected significantly (P<0.05) daily gain and feed conversion ratio, but not carcass characteristics, commercial yield of carcass and tissue composition of ham. The results suggest that a feeding level of 85% of Ad Libitum during all the growing period (group I) improved significantly the growth performance without affecting carcass' characteristics

Alentejano pig; Slaughter weight; Growth; Carcass characteristics.