Effect of deep litter floor housing system on performance of pigs and pork quality

Pork consumption is constrained by high-fat content with higher composition of saturated fatty acids. This study investigated the effect of deep litter floor housing system on performance of pigs and pork quality. Twelve three months old pigs were raised on deep litter floor (litter floor treated with Indigenous Micro-organisms (IMO) solution Vs untreated deep litter floor). Feed intake (FI), Weight gain (WG) and Feed conversion ratio (FCR) showed no significant (P≤0.05) difference for pigs raised on both litter floors. Amount of Saturated fatty acids (SFAs), Mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), Poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), Cis-fatty acids (CFAs), Trans-fatty acids (TFAs), and Omega-6, 7 and 9 fatty acids in pork from pigs raised on both litter floors significantly (P≤0.05) differed. Crude fat, protein, dry matter, and phosphorus content did not differ significantly (P≤≥0.05) in pork from pigs raised on both litter floors. IMO treatment did not affect (P≤≥0.05) the sensory attributes of pork. Research should be conducted on the mechanisms by which deep litter floor modifies fatty acids composition in pork.