Comparative performance of Ghungroo and Large Black pig at organized institutional farm conditions

Present study was conducted to compare the production and reproduction performance of Ghungroo and Large Black breeds maintained at ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Nagaland Centre, Jharnapani, Nagaland. The birth weight (1.09 vs. 0.96 kg), pre-weaning growth rate (174.90 vs. 141.40 g/day) and matured body weight at 7 months (64.74 kg vs. 53.13 kg) were significantly higher (p<0.05) in Large Black gilts as compared to Ghungroo. However, the age at first estrus (209.70 vs. 244.42 days) and conception (237.44 vs. 260.81 days) was significantly lower in Ghungroo than Large Black. The litter size at birth (10.24 vs. 8.38) was significantly higher in Ghungroo than Large Black however, similar pattern in litter size at weaning (7.64 vs. 7.20), litter weight at birth (9.28 vs. 9.96 kg) and weaning (47.35 vs. 52.50 kg) were recorded in Ghungroo and Large Black, respectively. The pre-weaning mortality was higher in Ghungroo (2.64) due to lower birth weight and larger litter compared to the Large Black (1.47, p<0.01). Parity wise comparison of major reproductive traits revealed that litter size at birth and pre-weaning mortality were influenced by breed as well as parity, whereas the individual weight at birth and weaning were only influenced by breed not by parities. Thus, from this study it is concluded that the Ghungroo breed matured early, produce more litter and performs similar to the popular Large Black breed under organized farm condition.