Growth Performance, Blood Profile and Carcass Characteristics of Growing Pigs Fed Diets Containing Varying Levels of Soybean Milk Residue (SBMR)

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
2013-12-02
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Scarcity of and high cost of conventional feed ingredients have necessitated the identification and exploitation of nonconventional feed resources (NCFRs) for livestock especially monogastric livestock production. Soybean milk residue (SBMR) is one of such nonconventional feed ingredients. An experiment was therefore carried out to determine the nutrient composition and nutritive value of dried SBMR. The SBMR was collected in the fresh or wet form from Wiamoase, Agona, Mampong and some surrounding villages mostly from women who produce soybean milk and khebab. The fresh SBMR was then sun-dried to a moisture content of about 15%. Analysis of the dried SBMR showed that the crude protein, fat, ash and crude fibre levels were 20.1%, 8.0%, 1.75%,and 19.34% respectively. The metabolisable energy value was estimated to be 2157Kcal/kg. In a subsequent feeding trial, four diets were formulated to contain varying levels of the dried SBMR; the levels were 0.0kg, 5.0kg, 10.0kg and 15.0kg/100kg diet. These 4 dietary treatments were labelledT1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively. A total of twenty Large White growing pigs comprising of eight males and twelve females with a mean initial weight of 11.88kg were allocated to the 4 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Each treatment consisted of five replicates comprising of two males and three females and each replicate consisted of one pig. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum during the 91-day feeding trial. There were no significant (P>0.05) differences in the growth performance parameters, i.e. final weight, mean daily feed intake, mean total feed intake, total weight gain, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio. There were no health-related problems that could be attributable to the inclusion of the varying level of the SBMR. There was however a marginal decrease in the feed cost per kg live weight gain (1.87, 1.77, 1.71 and 1.76 GH¢), with increasing levels of the SBMR. Carcass parameters that were measured did not show significant (P > 0.05%) differences among treatment means except for loin weight which was significantly (P< 0.05%) different among treatment means, with the 10% SBMR giving the highest value. Furthermore, the dietary treatments did not have any significant (P>0.05%) impact on the various blood biochemical indices. The haematological parameters examined were also similar (P>0.05%).It was concluded that the SBMR has some potential for use as a dietary ingredient in pig diets without compromising health and growth performance and carcass and blood traits.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Of MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY (Animal Nutrition and Management)August 2013
Keywords
Citation