Growth, morphometry and reproductive performance of Creole Cuino pigs in Mexico

Several biotypes of the Mexicanc creole pig are in danger of extinction. This study was carried out in order to characterize the Mexican cuino pig. Growth, morphometry and reproductive traits are statistically described analysing the reproductive performance of 12 Cuino sows kept under confinement conditions. Average live weight was monitored at birth and 6 months later (0.86 and 43.84 kg, respectively). Results show that Cuino pigs tend to deposit more backfat than commercial breeds, their growth rhythm was adjusted to a polynomial equation (Y = 1.1138x2 - 4.0804x + 5.1355 R2 = 0.9955); it is slow at the beginning and after 91 days animals showed an accelerated growth. Average daily feed intake increased until pigs were five months old, from 0.403 to 1.930 kg., with an improved polynomial adjustment (Y = 0.2363x2 - 1.3129x + 5.7951 R2 = 0.82). Feed conversion was 4.596 in the first post-weaning month and 5.174 in the last month of fattening at 6 months. Cuino pigs are small, with short snout and a small number of teats. The variation in all the measured morphological variables was low (7.5 to 16.7%), this suggests that their morphology does not vary much. Prolificity of these pigs was low; the average number of pigs born alive was 4.95 with a litter birth weight of 4.35 kg and 4.12 weaned pigs with 16.09 kg at weaning. Present results indicate that the cuino pig has not been genetically improved since the time it has been in Mexico.