Effect of dietary fibre level on amino acid digestibility in young pigs

Abstract

Studies were carried out with 12 pigs (Yorkshire × Landrace) to determine the effect of dietary fibre level on amino acid digestibility. The pigs were weaned at 21 d of age and fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum at 23 or 24 d of age. The pigs were fed four isonitrogenous corn starch-based soybean meal diets (22.5 % crude protein) containing 4.3, 7.3, 10.3 and 13.3% Solkafloc according to a balanced two-period change-over design. The pigs were fed four times daily, equal amounts, at 6-h intervals. The diets were supplied at a rate of 5% of the average body weight which was determined at the initiation of the first (8.8 kg) and second (11.7 kg) experimental period. Each experimental period comprised 10 d. Feces were collected for 48 h on days 6 and 7 and ileal digesta for 24 h during days 8, 9 and 10. Chromic oxide was used as digestibility marker. The dietary inclusion of Solkafloc, up to 13.3 %, did not affect (P > 0.05) the apparent ileal as well as the fecal digestibilities of crude protein and amino acids. In conclusion, starter pigs can tolerate up to 13.3% Solkafloc, equivalent to 16.8% neutral-detergent fibre, in corn starch-based soybean meal diets without a depression in amino acid digestibility. Key words: Young pigs, fibre, amino acids, digestibility