Improving the growth performance of local pigs in Benin by crossbreeding with the stress-negative Pietrain

Local pigs in Benin are highly valued by the population, yet their suboptimal performance limits their breeding potential. The objective of this study was to enhance the zootechnical performance of local pigs in Benin by crossing them with the stress-negative Pietrain. A total of three batches were created. The first group consisted of 12 local females, mated by a local boar (LO), the second of 12 Pietrain females, inseminated with Pietrain semen (Pi), and the third of 12 local females inseminated with Pietrain semen (LO x Pi). The growth performance of piglets from each batch was collected from birth to 34 weeks of age. The data were subjected to a two-criteria analysis of variance, including the effects of piglet genetic type and sex. The results indicated that piglet weight, performance, and average daily gain (ADG) varied significantly (p < 0.001) according to genetic type. From farrowing to 34 weeks of age, crossbred piglets (F1) had significantly higher weights than local piglets (P < 0.05). The same was true of ADG. The Pietrain exhibited significantly higher growth performance than the other two genetic types. The observed performances did not vary according to sex within the same genetic type. In general, females were heavier than males between 28 and 34 weeks of age, regardless of genotype. The heterosis effect of the cross was positive, with a range of 3.71–11.14 %. The findings of this study indicate that the Pietrain genotype improves the growth performance of local pigs in Benin.