Performance, carcass, and meat quality advantages of boars over barrows: A literature review

This paper reviews the literature comparing growth performance, carcass, and meat quality data between barrows and boars. Compared with barrows, boars have reduced feed intake, improved feed efficiency, less backfat, higher nitrogen retention, and leaner carcasses. Growth rate of boars will be higher than that of barrows if adequate dietary amino acids are supplied. The improved growth performance and carcass characteristics of boars are primarily due to the anabolic effects of androgens and estrogen produced in the testis. However, administering manufactured anabolic agents, androgens, and estrogens to barrows has not yet been shown to improve growth and carcass in swine.

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