Nutrient Utilization and Digestibility of Growing Pigs Fed Diets of Different Proportions of Palm Kernel Meal and Brewers Dried Grain

Abstract

Nutrient utilization and digestibility of growing pigs fed diets of different proportions of Palm Kernel Meal (PKM) and Brewers Dried Grain (BDG) in the humid tropics were determined with twelve intact male hybrid (Landrace x Duroc) pigs aged 15 weeks. Their live weights ranged 16.78-19.50 kg (average 18.36 kg). The experimental design was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The diets were control, 30% PKM+40% BDG, 35% PKM+35% BDG and 40% PKM+30% BDG for diets I, II, III and IV, respectively. Each diet had three replicates and a male pig per replicate. Locally constructed metabolism cages (107x60x50 cm) were used for the experiment. Measurements were nutrient intake, faecal nutrient output, digestibility coefficient of nutrients, energy utilization, Nitrogen (N) balance and protein utilization. Results showed that growing pigs fed diets of different proportions of PKM and BDG did not significantly (P<0.05) differ in digestibility coefficient of CP, protein utilization and N balance while 40% PKM+30% BDG diet significantly (P<0.05) increased N intake of growing pigs. The energy utilization indices of pigs fed diets of 35% PKM+35% BDG and 40% PKM+30% BDG were consistently superior to that of pigs fed control diet except ME as percentage of Gross Energy (GE). In conclusion, growing pigs could be fed diets different proportions of PKM and BDG without adverse effect on nutrient utilization and digestibility; however N intake would increase with 40% PKM+30% BDG diet.