Browsing by Author "Vasudevan, G"

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Effect of particle size of maize on the growth performance and digestibility of nutrients in crossbred (Large White Yorkshire x Desi) pigs
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2000) Vasudevan, G; Viswanathan, T V
    An investigation was carried out to assess the influence of particle size of maize on the growth performance, digestibility of nutrients and carcass quality in crossbred pigs. Twenty four female weaned crossbred (Large White Yorkshire x Desi) piglings with an average live weight of 14.5 kg were divided into three groups (Tj, T2 and T3) of eight animals as uniformly as possible. They were maintained on the same diet containing maize with the particle size of 3 mm, 1 mm and <0.1 mm, respectively for a period of five months. The average daily gains of 317, 335 and 373 g were recorded for the groups Tj, T2 and T3, respectively. The cumulative feed conversion ratios were 5.38, 5.08 and 4.57 for the groups Tl, T2 and T3, respectively. Finely ground maize in the diet of growing-finishing pigs improved average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency by 6 per cent each over medium ground maize and by 18 per cent and 15 per cent over coarsely ground maize, respectively. As the particle size of maize reduced an overall improvement in the digestibility of nutrients was observed. The pigs fed diet containing finely ground maize showed better nutrient digestibility than those fed with coarse or medium ground maize. Results of the studies on carcass traits revealed that there was no significant difference in the dressing percentage, carcass length, back fat thickness and loin eye area due to variation in the particle size of maize. Cost of feed per kg live weight of animals in the three groups Tl, T2 and T3 were Rs. 42.34,40.49 and 37.11, respectively. 2 This decrease in cost of feed per kg weight gain of pigs with reduction in the particle size of maize is due to better feed conversion efficiently as a result of increased nutrient digestibility. The above results confirm the positive influence of fme grinding of maize on the growth performance, feed conversion efficiency and nutrient digestibility in cross bred pigs. The additional benefit of reduced nutrient excretion due to increased digestibility will make swine husbandry more eco-friendly.