The utilization of dietary cellulose by growing pigs

Abstract

ABSTRACT1. The objective was to determine to what extent pigs can make use of energy yielded by fermentation of cellulose in the hindgut.2. Two groups of 12 pigs were grown from 20 to 80 kg live weight on diets based on barley and soya bean meal. In treatment 1 energy intakes were restricted to approximately 085 of that required for maximum growth rate but intakes of other nutrients were adequate. Treatment 2 provided the same intake of all nutrients as treatment 1, but cellulose (‘Solka-floc’) was given in addition at a level of 150 g/kg food intake.3. There were no significant differences between treatments in average daily gain or carcass linear measurements but dressing proportion was lower with added cellulose.4. At 35 and 65 kg live weight, apparent digestibility of fibre and energy was measured in 5-day periods on each pig. The weight of the fibre digested in treatment 2 was considerably higher than for treatment 1; the digestibility of added neutral-detergent fibre was 0·40. However, the quantity of energy apparently absorbed was the same for both treatments. In treatment 2, either none of the energy released from digestion of added cellulose was absorbed or, if any was absorbed, it was offset by reduced absorption of energy from other sources.