Ad. Hall et al., Predicted responses to selection from indices incorporating feeding pattern traits of pigs using electronic feeders, ANIM SCI, 68, 1999, pp. 407-412
The main aims of this study were to predict the increase in the accuracy of
selection and the response to selection achieved by including feeding patt
ern traits, such as number and size of meals, as selection criteria in indi
ces to improve growth rate, lean content of the carcass and food conversion
ratio. Generic and phenotypic parameters obtained for pigs given food ad l
ibitum using single space electronic feeders were used to construct the ind
ices. The predicted generic gain in the inner increased far indices with mo
re feeding pattern traits. The inclusion of part test records for feeding p
atterns resulted in similar predicted correlated responses and predicted ac
curacy of selection to those using whole test records of daily food intake.
The inclusion of feeding patterns as selection criteria resulted in indice
s that were less robust to inaccurate parameter estimates. It was concluded
that feeding pattern traits could be used to improve the predicted accurac
y of selection for the efficiency of lean growth but the most effective and
robust index would include only daily gain, backfat depth, daily food inta
ke and mean number of visits to the feeders per day. These traits may also
be useful in reducing the length of the test period necessary for accurate
measures of food intake, so increasing the potential intensity of selection
using a given number of feeders.