Growth and Carcass Characteristics of Pigs Maintained on Rations Containing Different Levels of Dried Tapioca Chips

Abstract

An investigation was carried out to assess the growth rate, feed efficiency, carcass quality and economics of production in swine with isoproteimic rations containing dried tapioca chips in partial or complete replacement of maize. Eighteen large White Yorkshire weanling pigs were divided into three groups (Group 1, 11 and 111) of six animals each as uniformly as possible in regard to litter, sex, age and weight and maintained on three isoproteimic diets A, B and C containing 0, 20 and 40 per cent levels respectively of dried tapioca chips in partial and complete replacement of maize. Records of feed intake, fortnightly body weights and body measurements were maintained throughout the course of the experiment. Digestibility coefficients of nutrients in the rations were determined. Two males and two females each from all the three groups were slaughtered when they attained the body weight of 70 kg for collecting data on carcass characteristics. Haematological studies were also carried out to assess the nutritional status of the animals. The animals under all the three dietary treatments recorded almost similar growth rates, the overall average daily gains being 385.9, 368.0 and 380.2 g respectively for the three groups 1, 11 and 111. The total food intake of the animals were similar indicating that the three rations, in addition to being isoproteimic, were also isocaloric and of almost equal palatability. The animals also showed similar feed conversion efficiency, the overall average values being 3.59, 3.62 and 3.57 respectively for the groups 1, 11 and 111. The digestibility coefficients of nutrients in the three rations were similar indicating that dried tapioca chips was as efficiently utilised as maize. The normal and similar values for blood constituents indicated that all the animals maintained normal nutritional status and inclusion of tapioca at levels as used in the present study did not exert any deleterious effect on the health of the animals. Results of studies on carcass characteristics revealed that the dressing percentage without head, carcass length, back fat thickness, loin – eye area and percentages of prime cuts against live weight were all found to be similar with both tapioca and maize based diets. The diets used did not seem to markedly influence the melting point of body fat though there was significant difference between subcutaneous and leaf fat indicating a greater unsaturation of subcutaneous fat. Saponification values were found to be similar with all the three diets. With respect to both subcutaneous and leaf fat, iodine number was higher on maize based diets though there was significant difference only in regard to subcutaneous fat. Cost of production per kg live weight of the animals in the three groups 1, 11 and 111 were shown to be Rs.8.20, 8.19 and 7.99 respectively. An overall evaluation of results clearly indicated that dried tapioca chips can be safely and profitably incorporated in swine rations at a level of 40 per cent in place of conventional cereal grains like maize.