Determination of the optimum crude protein requirement of pigs in a tropical environment

Abstract

SUMMARYFeeding trials were carried out at different times of the year to determine the optimum crude protein requirements of weaner and growing pigs, using principally the locally available ingredients. The animals used were 96 weaners and 113 growing pigs of the Large White and Landrace breeds of average initial weights of about 9 kg and 41 kg respectively. Test diets contained protein levels ranging from 12% to 24% on a dry-matter basis, and the pigs were mostly group-fed ad libitum except for one trial. Average daily gains, efficiency of feed utilization, apparent nitrogen retention and digestibility, and feed cost per kg of body gain were measured. In a humid tropical environment, such as Ibadan, the optimum crude protein requirement for weaner pigs from 9 kg to 34 kg live weight is between 22 % and 24 % of dry matter, while that for the fattening pigs from 41 kg to 82 kg live weight is between 18% and 21% of dry matter.