Evaluación productiva y económica de los sistemas de alimentación en cerdos mestizos en la etapa de crecimiento y engorde en el cantón Chone, 2024.

Abstract

Given that efficient feeding in the pig sector represents between 80% and 85% of total production costs, it is crucial for pig farmers to understand the best feeding practices. The present study aimed to evaluate the productive and economic efficiency of three feeding systems in hybrid pigs during the growth and fattening stage in the Chone canton, 2024. Three feeding systems were compared with 5 pigs in each: traditional (SAT), rationed (SAR), and ad libitum (SAD), evaluating weight gain, disease presence, and economic profitability. The pigs started the study at 7 weeks of age and it ended at 22 weeks. The SAD system showed the highest weight gain, with 92.54 kg, followed by SAR (82.37 kg) and SAT (72.56 kg). Although the SAT was the most economical, with a cost of $962.25, its feed conversion efficiency was low. The SAR, with a total cost of $1140.50, showed good results, but its higher cost could affect profitability. The SAD, with a cost of $970.50, offered the best cost-to-final-weight ratio, making it the most profitable. In terms of health, all three systems showed intestinal infections associated with water quality, and the SAT showed pneumonia and E. coli. Although no analysis was conducted, according to Pérez (2022), symptoms such as cough, respiratory difficulty, and diarrhea could indicate respiratory and digestive infections. In conclusion, the SAD system was the most efficient and cost-effective.