author(s)
Dr. VN Gautam, Dr. Shraddha Shrivastava, Dr. GP Lakhani, Dr. RPS Baghel and Kuldeep Narayan Tripathi

abstract
In most parts of the world, male pigs that are destined for the market are physically castrated very soon after birth in order to reduce the risk of boar taint. However, entire male pigs are more efficient and deposit less fat than barrows, particularly at high slaughter weights. Also, animal welfare activists are lobbying for a cessation of physical castration in many parts of the world, The present study was undertaken to elucidate the effect of castration on the performance of crossbred pigs. The study was conducted on a total of 20 weaned male piglets of 2 months age pertaining to Large White Yorkshire crosses with desi pigs were procured and randomly allotted to two groups (Castrated and uncastrated) containing 10 pigs each. Pigs were maintained at piggery unit of Livestock farm, Adhartal, Jabalpur. Growth parameters were recorded at fortnight intervals from 56 days to 195 days of age. highly significant (P<0.01) differences in performance traits between the castrated and uncastrated group study revealed of pigs in the body weight, daily feed intake and feed efficiency whereas significant (P<0.05) differences were observed in daily weight gain, chest girth and height at withers. Castration has no significant effect on body length of pigs.