FEEDING EFFICIENCY AND CARCASSES CHARACTE RISTICS IN GASCON PIGS KEPTIN AN OUTDOORS SYSTEM

Thirty nine gascon pigs were reared in an outdoors system in two swine farms of the Tarn et Garonne with two complete mixed diets till 14 mo nths (10 to 16 months). During the fattening, the live weight and the thickness of the back fat were controled. After slaughter the carcasse s caracteristics were recorded (weight of the hot carcass, back fat th ickness, muscle percentage). The daily gain was reduced and variable ( 383 g +/- 90) and the feed efficiency was low (feed conversion 6,4). T he carcasses show a high back fat and a low muscle percentage. These f irst datas show that this local breed takes place between the celtic b reeds (with high lean in the carcass and a fast growth) and the iberia n breeds with more fat.