Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-g7gxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-07T18:42:33.116Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A note on allometric relationships in large white × landrace pigs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

J. Carol Petherick
J. Carol Petherick
Affiliation:
The Scottish Farm Buildings Investigation Unit, Craibstone, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB2 9TR
Get access

Abstract

Linear measurements of six body dimensions were taken of Large White × Landrace pigs in the live-weight range of 1 kg to 286 kg. Logarithmic regression lines were fitted to the live-weight and measurement data. It was found that the body dimensions could be expressed as a function of live weight and that these equations agreed well with the simple allometric equation L = kW1/3, where linear dimension, W= live weight and k= an appropriate coefficient. It is suggested that these equations may provide a method of estimating the static space occupied by a pig and thus provide a basis for the development of space allocation recommendations in pig housing. It is also suggested that these principles may be applicable to other livestock.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 36 , Issue 3 , June 1983 , pp. 497 - 500
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1983

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Agricultural Development and Advisory Service Committee on Ergonomics and Work Study. 1980. Ergonomics and work study annual report, 1980, pp. 9–10. ADAS, Reading. (Mimeograph).Google Scholar
American Society of Agricultural Engineers. 1981. Agricultural Engineers Yearbook 1981–1982, p. 396. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan.Google Scholar
Brody, S. 1945. Bioenergetics and Growth. Reinhold, New York.Google Scholar
Bryant, M. J. 1970. The influence of population density and grouping upon the behaviour of the growing pig. Ph.D. Thesis, Univ. Liverpool.Google Scholar
Gehlbach, G. D., Becker, D. E., Cox, J. L., Harmon, B. G. and Jensen, A. H. 1966. Effects of floor space allowance and number per group on performance of growing-finishing swine. J. Anim. Sci. 25: 386–391.Google Scholar
Hettman, H., Hahn, L., Kelly, C. F. and Bond, T. E. 1961. Space allotment and performance of growing-finishing swine raised in confinement. J. Anim. Sci. 20: 543–546.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Huxley, J. S. 1932. Problems of Relative Growth. Methuen, London.Google Scholar
Klatt, G., Glende, P. and Brauer, P. 1975. [Body measurements in swine as a basis for animal-orientated forms of construction of standing stalls and pens.] Tierzucht. 29: 420–422.Google Scholar
Laird, A. K., Barton, A. D. and Tyler, S. A. 1968. Growth and time: an interpretation of allometry. Growth 32: 347–354.Google ScholarPubMed
Petherick, J. C. and Baxter, S. H. 1981. Modelling the static spatial requirements of livestock. In Modelling, Design and Evaluation of Agricultural Buildings, Proc. Commission Internationale du Genie Rural Section 2 Seminar, Aberdeen, 1981. pp. 75–82. Scottish Farm Buildings Investigation Unit, Aberdeen.Google Scholar
Phillips, R. W. and Dawson, W. M. 1936. A study of methods for obtaining measurements of swine. Rec. Proc. Am. Soc. Anim. Prod. 29: 93–99.Google Scholar
Yeo, M. L. and Smith, P. 1977. A note on relationships between girth measurements and sow liveweight change. Expl Husb. 33: 81–84.Google Scholar