TwitterLinkedinWhatsAppTelegramTelegram
0

The effect of feeding crude glycerol on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in weaned pigs

The substitution of wheat by crude glycerol (8%) in piglet diets may improves growth performance
3 November 2009
TwitterLinkedinWhatsAppTelegramTelegram
0
The hypotheses tested in the present study were that (1) weaned pigs fed diets containing 4 or 8% crude glycerol had a similar growth performance and nutrient digestibility to pigs fed a diet without glycerol, and (2) weaned pigs would improve their capacity to digest the diets within the timeframe of the study similarly among diets. The objectives were to determine growth performance and apparent total tract digestibility of energy of weaned pigs fed diets with 0, 4, or 8% glycerol formulated to an equal energy and amino acid content.

Seventy-two pigs weaned at 20 d of age, were selected at 27 to 30 d of age based on similar weaning weight and divided within gender into heavy and light based on body weight (BW). A wheat-based control diet and two diets containing either 4 or 8% glycerol were formulated by replacing wheat with crude glycerol. The main dietary ingredients were wheat, soybean meal, lactose, and fish meal. The study was a completely randomized design with 18 pens in one nursery room. Each pen was fed one of three diets during the 4-wk study starting 7 to 10 d post-weaning for six observations per diet. During the first 7 to 10 d after weaning, pigs were fed a commercial starter diet. Pigs had free access to feed and water during the entire 4-wk study. Pigs were individually weighed weekly to monitor BW gain. The amount of feed consumed was determined on a weekly basis. The measured BW changes and feed disappearance were used to determine ADG, average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed efficiency (ADG/ ADFI) for the pen.

For day 0 to 28, body weight increased linearly (P=0.04); pigs fed 8% glycerol were 1.11 kg heavier than pigs fed 0% glycerol. Glycerol inclusion tended to increase average daily gain linearly (P=0.066) and increased average daily feed intake quadratically (P=0.037) without affecting feed efficiency (P>0.10).

Feeding up to 8% dietary crude glycerol by substituting wheat can enhance the growth performance of weaned pigs.

RT Zijlstra, K Menjivar, E Lawrence, and E. Beltranena. 2009. Canadian Journal of Animal Science. 89:85-89.

Article Comments

This area is not intended to be a place to consult authors about their articles, but rather a place for open discussion among pig333.com users.
Leave a new Comment

Access restricted to 333 users. In order to post a comment you must be logged in.

Related articles

Glycerol and swine feeding

Glycerol is a byproduct of the industry of bio-diesel fuels, representing roughly 10% of the crude oil used for that purpose. Therefore, large quantities are expected to be available in the near future for the different markets that can have a potential interest for it.