The weaning of piglets is accompanied by stressors,
including maternal separation, relocation to new
housing, introduction into a new social group, and
change of diet (van der Meulen et al. 2010). Thus,
reduction of feed intake and inhibition of piglet
growth rate often occur (McCracken et al. 1995). In
the conventional weaning system, the range of
weaning age is from 17 days to 21 days; however,
piglets are weaned at 12–14 days in the early weaning
system (Dantzer & Mormede 1981; Maxwell & Carter
2000). In Europe, weaning before 28 days of age is
prohibited (ECCD 2001). Some studies have suggested
that a decrease in weaning age could improve feed
efficiency and growth rate while lowering the transfer
of growth-depressing pathogens to offspring (Patience
et al. 2000). However, the early weaning system has
disadvantages in wean-to-finish average daily gain
(ADG), mortality rate and aggressive behaviors (Main
et al. 2004).
The other contributing factor to post-weaning
growth is the weaning weight of piglets. The growth
rate tends to be higher in large pigs than small pigs,
and the weaning weight and its variation are influenced
by the birth weight and its variation in piglets
(McConnell et al. 1987; Allen et al. 2010). In previous
studies, the heavy weaning weight for piglets weaned
at 28 days was 8.5 kg or over, and pigs with a heavy
weaning weight had a higher growth rate between
weaning and 20 weeks of age than those with a
light weaning weight (Mahan et al. 1998; Lawlor et al.
2002; Magowan et al. 2011).
The effects of weaning age and weight on postweaning
behavior and growth performance have been
well established, but published research on their
effects on meat quality is lacking. Therefore, the aim of
this study was to compare the meat quality of finishing
pigs classified by various ages and weights at weaning
and to establish the interaction effect of weaning age
and weight on pork quality.