The larger the litter size, the smaller the birth weight of the piglet is. Fewer total muscle fibres are noted in low birth weight piglets and at market weight they often have larger fibres which may affect the eating quality. Birth weight does not have an effect on carcass quality. This study goes more in depth to see if sensory and chemical properties that may influence the eating quality are influenced. Birth weight did not have an effect on weight of primal cuts, carcass quality, chemical properties, overall palatability or histological properties of the meat.
Impact of Piglet Birth Weight on the Eating Quality of Pork (full article)
