Yeast extract plus blood plasma in diets for piglets from 36 to 60 days old

Abstract

ABSTRACT: To evaluate inclusion levels and residual effects of diets containing yeast extract (YE) plus blood plasma (BP) on the performance of 36 to 60-days old piglets, 105 piglets were used (8.75±0.72kg), and they were distributed under a randomized block experimental design with five treatments (control - 2.0% BP; 1.0% BP plus 0.0, 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0% YE), seven repetitions, and three animals per experimental unit. Piglets were given experimental diets from 36 to 49 days of age. From 50 to 60 day of age, all piglets received the same diet. No effects from treatments (P>0.10) were observed on the performance variables from 36 to 49 day of age. From 50 to 60 day of age, an effect was observed from YE levels on the daily feed consumption (P<0.03), daily weight gain (p<0.01), and final weight (P<0.06), which increased quadratically up to 1.67, 1.67, and 1.55% YE levels, respectively. Piglets which were fed with the diet containing 1.0% BP + 2.0% YE were observed to have better feed conversion ratios (P<0.01) as compared to the control diet (2.0% BP). As it provides a better residual effect, the inclusion of 1.67% yeast extract may replace 50% of blood plasma in 36 to 49-days old piglet diets.