Effects on some performance and carcass traits of feeding different levels of a cereal-based diet to grower pigs with or without plantain pseudostem
2002
Odoi, F.N.A., Department of Animal Science, School of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana | Mensah, C.D.B., Department of Animal Science, School of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana | Nkrumah, J.D., Department of Animal Science, School of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana | Dzakpata, J.S., Department of Animal Science, School of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana | Dzathor, F.K., Department of Animal Science, School of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
Fifteen large white castrate pigs (5-6 months old; 35-45 kg initial live weight) were used in an experiment over a 5-week period to investigate the potential value of plantain pseudostem (stalks) as feed for pigs. The experiment which consisted of three treatments, each with five replicates, was arranged in a randomized complete block design. Blocking was by initial live weight. The treatments were as follows: (i) cereal-based concentrate offered at 100 per cent (T,); (ii) cereal-based concentrate at 90 per cent, plus pseudostem (T,); and (iii) cerealbased concentrate at 80 per cent, plus pseudostem (T,). Proximate analysis of plantain pseudostem showed 8 per cent DM. 2.4 per cent CP, 20.5 per cent ct, 14.3 per cent Ash, and 60.5 per cent NFE. Mean daily intake was significantly lower (P0.05) in pigs on TJ (10.0) than on T, (11.4 kg/week). Pigs on T1 had significantly higher (P0.05) ADG (0.59 kg) than those on T1 (0.44 kg). FCE was not significantly affected (P0:'05) by dietary treatment, nor were the hot carcass weights, carcass lengthloin eye area, ;nd back fat thickness. Kidney weight was, however, heavier (P0.05) in pigs on T, (0.18) than on T1 (0.11) or T1 (0.16 kg). The study suggests that a cereal-based diet could be fed with up to 10 per cent plantain pseudostem without deleterious effect on intake and growth in pigs, resulting in some saving in feed costs. Further studies need to be done to evaluate longer term effects on pigs fed plantain pseudostem
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