Selection and culling criteria for breeding boars and sows in pig farms from Oueme and Plateau departments in Benin

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the selection and culling criteria for breeding pigs in Benin. A survey was carried out among 65 pig farms. The correspondence factor analysis was used to identify farmers’ groups based on their practices at animal sex level. Group 1 consisted mostly of unschooled farmers mainly rearing free-range local-breed pigs. Group 2 farmers had primary or secondary education. Group 3 was composed of unschooled farmers or farmers with secondary education. The pig farmers of groups 2 and 3 used improved breeds and crossbreeds in confinement. The main criteria for male selection in farms were health status, conformation and highly developed testes, number of teats, absence of genetic defects and growth. The absence of genetic defects was more used in groups 2 and 3, and developed testes in group 1. The main criteria for sow selection in the three groups were health status, litter size, kinship and growth. Most of these criteria were less used in group 1. The most used criteria for boar culling were age and loss of libido. The main culling criteria for older sows in all groups were parity and decrease in litter size. The latter was more used in groups 2 and 3. To conclude, breeders had good criteria for breeding selection and reform that should be improved in order to increase productivity.