Some factors affecting the voluntary intake by pigs of diets containing effluent from the ensilage of grass

Abstract

SUMMARYThree experiments were carried out to investigate factors which might affect the voluntary intake of effluents.Effluent was introduced into the diet of pigs at rates of 25, 50 and 100 g D.M./day, replacing dry meal to maintain a constant amount of dry matter offered. The mean maximum daily intakes of effluent on the three treatments were similar indicating that, within this range, the rate of introduction of effluent had no effect on its potential maximum intake.When solutions with differing concentrations of effluent dry matter were offered it was found that the intakes at the 20 and 10 g/kg concentrations were progressively lower than when tho concentration was 30 g/kg or higher. This suggested a physical limitation to the intake of effluent at low concentrations. A physiological limit may operate at concentrations of 30 g D.M./kg or higher.In the third experiment daily air-dry meal allowances of 80, 90, 100 and 110 g/kg W0.75 were offered in addition to an ad libitum supply of effluent. The voluntary intake of effluent dry matter was not significantly affected by tho amount of meal offered and the total amount of dry matter consumed remained virtually constant.