Reproduction of east balkan sows from the herd of the experimental station of agriculture - sredets

Abstract

Reproduction characteristics of the East Balkan aboriginal breed sows were monitored over three-year period (2004-2006) The results recorded from 50 sows of 7 litters were analyzed. The duration of the reproductive cycle of sows, percentages of fertilized and farrowed sows and their lifetime fertility were monitored. The live body weight of the offspring at farrowing, their survival rate and growth rate up to the age of 21 days were determined. The seasonal pattern of reproduction of sows revealed the higher average age of the first farrowing ( 553 days). The average reproductive cycle, determined through the number of litters per sow, was 5.2; 1.45 litters per year with 7.06 live-born piglets per litter were recorded. The effect of the year on the live body weight at birth (0.988 kg), the litter size at the age of 21 days (6.05) and the growth rate up to the age of 21 days were statistically significant (Р< 0 05)