The repeatability of maternal performance in inbred, outbred and linecross large white sows

Abstract

SUMMARYRepeatability estimates for various maternal characteristics were calculated for 301 inbred, 150 outbred and 135 linecross Large White sows each with two litters. The estimated repeatabilities did not differ significantly between the three kinds of sow and the arithmetic average of the values obtained were as follows: number of pigs born alive 0·24; number of pigs born dead 0·05; total birth weight of litter 0·25; average individual birth weight 0·41; number of pigs alive at 50 days 0·07; total litter weight at 50 days 0·14; average individual weight at 50 days 0·15.The linecross sows produced and weaned more pigs than the outbred sows, which in turn performed better than the inbred sows. Changes in performance from the first to the second litter were similar for all three groups of sows.