Keeper Gilt Size
Keeper Gilt Size
I have a really nice gilt that has been behind in overall size and weight from her litter mates. I wouldn't call her a runt, but is is noticeably smaller. Eating hard and growing, etc. She's really nice in all areas and I am considering keeping her as a breeder. Should I expect that she would pass on her smaller size as part of her genetics, or would normal/average size piglets be expected?
Re: Keeper Gilt Size
I wouldn't expect her to pass on her small size. She may have had something when she was a piglet that caused her to be smaller, but it probably isn't genetic.
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Re: Keeper Gilt Size
Of course frame size is heritable.
Extremely high as evidenced by the currently misplaced selection criteria on showpigs.
Extremely high as evidenced by the currently misplaced selection criteria on showpigs.
Re: Keeper Gilt Size
It all depends upon if her size is due to environment or she is just the smaller framed one in the litter. I have had gilts that just got on a bad nipple and got behind and basically turned into a runt. It took forever for them to catch up but they eventually do and they certainly don't pass on their smaller size to their pigs. However sometimes you get those that people call moderate which is just a nice way of saying they are small framed and they certainly will pass on their frame size. I will say that those "moderate" pigs are easy to sell as little pigs but they rarely win at the end.