Dependence of productive traits of sows on litter size at birth

Abstract

The results of the experiments described in this article indicate that the most preferred pigs for selection to improve multiple births are pigs of Large white and Belarusian meat breeds. At directional selection and breeding of sows of these breeds there is a specific combining ability. Sows of Belarusian black-motley and Duroc breeds are not desirable to use as a basis for crosses because of negative general combining ability and low specific one that will reduce multiple births.