The effect of selection for residual feed intake on general behavioral activity, occurrence of lesions, scale activity and exit score in Yorkshire gilts
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The Department of Animal Science originally concerned itself with teaching the selection, breeding, feeding and care of livestock. Today it continues this study of the symbiotic relationship between animals and humans, with practical focuses on agribusiness, science, and animal management.
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The Department of Animal Husbandry was established in 1898. The name of the department was changed to the Department of Animal Science in 1962. The Department of Poultry Science was merged into the department in 1971.
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- Department of Animal Husbandry (1898–1962)
- College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (parent college)
- Department of Poultry Science (merged with, 1971)
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Abstract
The objectives of these studies were to determine the effect of selection for reduced residual feed intake (RFI) on activity, lesion scores and temperament in gilts. Purebred Yorkshire gilts were utilized (n=192). Half were from a line that had been selected for five generations for reduced RFI (LRFI) and half were from a randomly bred line, which served as a control (CRFI). On the day of placement there were no differences between the lines regarding general activity, however LRFI gilts had lower lesion scores. Over the trial, the LRFI gilts had lower overall activity, but lesions were not different between lines. The LRFI gilts scored lower during an initial temperament score. While both lines' temperament scores decreased over the trial, CRFI gilts had a greater percentage decrease and scored lower than the LRFI gilts by the end. Selection for reduced RFI reduced activity and did not detrimentally affect temperament.