The Bioproductive Effect of Thermic Stress at Mangalica Pigs

Abstract

The study aimed to establish the effect of thermal stress on the productive performance of Mangalica breed. The animals were raised in alternative systems and exposed to 30-36°C and 8-11°C, respectively. The pigs had free access to standard, isoprotein and isocalory diets, with 13.5% crude protein (CP) and 3100 kcal/kg metabolizable energy. Feed intake was measured on a daily basis. The energy-protein balance was calculated on the basis of comparative slaughter made at the beginning and end of the experiment. The metabolizable energy (MEc) was estimated by chemical analysis (feed and excreta) using mathematical modelling and the Whittemore’s formula. The efficiency of energy utilization for protein synthesis was 0.48 at heat stress and 0.55 at cold stress; for fat retention was 0.52 and 0.77, respectively.

Keywords

• bioproductive effect
• mangalica
• thermal stress