Estimation of the average total digestible nutrients in pig feeds

Abstract

In an earlier paper the estimation of the total digestible nutrients (T.d.n.) to be expected in ruminant feedingstuffs has been described (Glover, J. Duthie, D. W. & Dougall, H. W. 1960). In a like manner the average T.d.n. in pig feeds can be estimated. The necessary equations have been obtained in earlier papers (Glover & Duthie, 1958A, b). They are, respectivelywhere C.p. and C.f. are percentage crude protein and crude fibre, respectively, in the dry matter of the feed, D.c.p. is digestible crude protein and N.r. the nutritive ratio. They can be used directly for the estimation of T.d.n. because by definition T.d.n. is D.c.p.(N.r. + 1); thus the T.d.n. to be expected at different levels of C.p. and C.f. can readily be calculated. Table 1 shows in abbreviated form some of the values that are obtained in the ranges 0–30% C.p. and 0–40% C.f., while Fig. 1 illustrates in detail the effect on T.d.n. of changing C.p. and C.f. levels of the diet. This figure shows clearly the very marked effect of increasing C.f. depressing the digestibility of the total nutrients in pig feeds, a fact which is already well known.