Swine can be categorized as slow growers and fast growers. These graphs apply in either case. Genetics and Weight Gain Fast growers can reach a higher weight potential than slow growers. There is no point on the graph in which fast growers' growth plateaus, and taking into account the protein gain graph, we can assume that fast growers' weight gain is mostly in desirable lean tissue mass. Q Males can be considered fast growers.
Fast growers continue to use feed more efficiently than slow growers at any feed level or quality.
A One strategy is to split feed the barrows and gilts. Place them in different pens by gender and feed the barrows a diet with less metabolizable energy. Another strategy is to use the fact that pigs grow more slowly when they are crowded. The barrows can be slightly crowded to increase competition for feed. Crowding will cause them to gain weight more slowly.