Determination of Optimal Replacement Level of Whole Maize with Maize Offal-Brewers Dried Grain Mixture for Weaner Pigs

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine optimal level(s) of replacement of maize offal – Brewers dried grain mixture (MO - BDG) for whole maize in diets for weaner pigs. Twenty crossbred (Large White x Landrace) barrows with average initial weight of 19.86 kg were fed five experimental diets formulated in a way that maize offal – Brewers dried grain mixture replaced whole maize at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 percent levels respectively. Each of the treatment diets was fed to four pigs having two replicates with two pigs per replicate. The final weight gain and feed conversion ratio of the groups on 25% and 50% replacement levels were not significantly different (P>0.05) from 0% replacement (control) but were significantly greater than (P<0.05) replacement at 75% and 100% respectively. Feed intake of animals fed with diets of 25, 50, 75 and 100 percent replacement levels was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of 0% replacement. Except for feed cost at 25% level of replacement, feed cost and cost/weight gain of the group on 0% replacement was significantly greater than (P<0.05) their values for the groups on 25, 50, 75 and 100% respectively. The results of this trial suggest that the optimal dietary replacement level is 50%.


[IJARD Vol.3 2002: 98-101]