Growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and chemical composition of the Shaziling pig and its crossbreeds

Abstract The Shaziling pig, an indigenous breed reared in Hunan province in China, is characterized by good meat quality and strong ability of resistance for general diseases. The objective of this study was to compare properties of growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and chemical composition among purebred Shaziling, Berkshire, Yorkshire pigs and their crossbreeds Yorkshire × (Berkshire × Shaziling) (Y × (B × S)), Berkshire × (Yorkshire × Shaziling) (B × (Y × S)) pigs. The results showed that Shaziling pigs had lower average daily gain (ADG) (P