Estimation of social genetic effects on feeding behaviour and production traits in pigs

Pigs are housed in groups during the test period. Social effects between pen mates may affect average daily gain (ADG), backfat thickness (BF), feed conversion rate (FCR), and feeding behaviour traits of pigs sharing same pen. The aim our study was to estimate genetic parameters production with statistical models that include social (SGEs). data contained 3075 Finnish Yorkshire, 3351 Landrace, 968 F1-crossbred pigs. Feeding were measured as number visits per day (NVD), time spent (TPD), intake (DFI), visit (TPV), (FPV), (FR). period divided into five periods 20 days. varied from 8 12. Two model approaches tested, i.e. a fixed group size variable model. For model, eight random included analysis, while all for linear mixed-effects sex, breed, herd*year*season (batch*pen), litter, animal itself (direct effect (DGE)), (SGEs) effects. traits, estimates total heritable variation (T2 ± SE) classical heritability (h2 SE, values given brackets) (e.g. 1) 0.34 0.13 (0.30 0.04) NVD, 0.41 0.10 (0.37 TPD, 0.40 0.15 (0.14 0.03) DFI, 0.53 (0.28 TPV, 0.66 0.17 FPV, 0.29 (0.22 FR. interaction minimal ADG = 0.11 h2 0.04), BF 0.48 0.12 0.38 0.07), FCR 0.37 using In conclusion, results indicate interactions have considerable indirect on but not BF.