The nutritive value of extruded and raw peas for growing and finishing pigs

Abstract

AbstractTwo experiments were conducted to determine the nutritive value of extruded or raw peas (Pisum sativum as an energy and protein supplement for pigs of 33 to 100 kg live weight. Experiment 1 determined the effects of extrusion on the nutrient apparent digestibility of peas when included at 200 g and 400 g/kg in the diet. In experiment 2, performance was determined in individually fed pigs (no. = 70) offered diets ad libitum including a control (no peas, T1), 200 g/kg raw peas (T2), 400 g/kg raw peas (T3), 200 g/kg extruded peas (T4), 400g/kg extruded peas (T5). The peas were extruded at 120°С for 30 s. All diets were formulated to have similar concentrations of digestible energy (DE) and total lysine. There was a significant interaction effect (P < 0·05) between level of peas and extrusion on the digestibility of the organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), energy and the DE content of the peas. The inclusion of 400 g/kg raw peas led to a lower estimated digestibility of OM (P < 0·001), N (P < 0·001), gross energy (P < 0·05) and DE content (P < 0·05) of the peas compared with the 200 g/kg peas. However, there was no difference (P > 0·05) between the digestibility of the 200 and 400 g/kg peas when the peas were extruded. In experiment 2, there was a significant interaction (P < 0·05) between the level of peas in the diet and extrusion. As the level of raw peas increased from 200 to 400g/kg, growth rate decreased (P < 0·01) and food conversion ratio (FCR) increased (P < 0·01). However, as the level of extruded peas was increased from 200 to 400g/ kg, there was no difference in either growth rate or FCR. It is concluded that extrusion of peas improved the nutrient digestibility and improved overall gain and FCR of the pigs.