The experiment was carried out to evaluate effect of weight asymmetry on carcass yield, ham proximate composition, minerals and lipid profiles of growing pigs. A total of fifty four (54) Large White growing pigs with mean weight of 15.33±0.02 kg was placed into three treatment groups based on weight range (Homozygous heavy weight, homozygous light weight and heterozygous weight) for a twenty week study. Eighteen growing pigs served as a treatment group which was further divided into 3 replicate groups of 6 pigs per replicate. At the end of 20Th week study, 6 pigs per treatment i.e. 2 pigs per replicate were selected, fasted and slaughtered for carcass yield evaluation. The ham muscle was excised and used to determine pork proximate composition, minerals and lipid profiles. Data collected were subjected 1-way Analysis of Variance utilizing SAS software while significant differences were separated using New Duncan Multiple Range Test as contained in the same statistical package. Result revealed that the prime cut parts (ham, shoulder and puck weights) were significantly higher in homogeneous light weight pigs. Most of ham proximate composition were positively influenced by weight asymmetry. Likewise, weight asymmetry affected total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, potassium and magnesium values of growing pigs. Heterogeneous weight pigs had highest total cholesterol value of 94.67±2.77 mg/dl and the least value of 85.33±3.41 mg/dl was noted for homogeneous light weight pigs. It can be concluded from this present study that grouping pigs on uniform weight basis especially light weight groups enhanced the welfare of pigs as shown by improvement in pork characteristics and composition.
Key words: Animal; proximate composition; meat yield; pork quality; mineral content
