Abstract
Abstract A total of 360 pigs (DNA 200′400, initially 5.0 kg) were used in a 45-d growth trial to determine the effects of fiber source and crude protein (CP) level in diets without pharmacological levels of ZnO on nursery pig growth performance and fecal dry matter (DM). Pigs were randomly assigned to 1 of 8 treatments with 5 pigs/pen and 9 pens/treatment. Treatments were arranged in a 2×4 factorial with main effects of CP (21 or 18%) and fiber source [none, coarse wheat bran (CWB), oat hulls, or cellulose (Arbocel, J. Rettenmaier USA, Schoolcraft, MI)]. Fiber source was added to equalize the level of insoluble fiber contributed from 4% CWB, resulting in the addition of 1.85% oat hulls or 1.55% cellulose. Diets were fed in two phases (d 0 to 10 and 10 to 24) followed by a common diet (d 24 to 45). The 21% CP diets contained 1.40% SID Lys in phase 1 and 1.35% SID Lys in phase 2. Treatment diets were formulated to a maximum SID Lys:digestible CP level of 6.35%, thus SID Lys decreased in the 18% CP (1.25% SID Lys) diets. Data were analyzed using the lmer function in R. No fiber source × CP level interactions (P >0.05) were observed. Decreasing dietary CP decreased (P = 0.05) ADG, G:F, and d 24 BW. Overall, ADG and d 45 BW decreased (P < 0.05) for pigs fed 18% CP diets. No main effects of fiber source were observed for growth performance throughout the study. Fecal DM increased (P < 0.05) for pigs fed added cellulose compared to pigs fed no fiber or CWB in the experimental period. In conclusion, reducing dietary CP decreased growth performance and the inclusion of cellulose improved fecal DM of nursery pigs.
Highlights
Weaned pigs often experience post-weaning diarrhea (PWD), which is characterized by recurrent discharge of loose, watery feces in the first weeks after weaning
Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 × 4 completely randomized factorial with main effects of crude protein (21 or 18% CP) and fiber source
Treatment diets were formulated to a maximum standardized ileal digestible lysine (SID) Lys:digestible CP level of 6.35%, SID Lys decreased in the 18% CP (1.25% SID Lys) diets to maintain the ratio
Summary
Weaned pigs often experience post-weaning diarrhea (PWD), which is characterized by recurrent discharge of loose, watery feces in the first weeks after weaning. To mitigate the severity of PWD, pharmacological levels of Zn (3,000 to 2,000 ppm of Zn) can be fed to young pigs, as high levels of Zn have been observed to possess antimicrobial effects and to decrease intestinal inflammation, along with promoting growth performance. Increasing regulations on pharmacological levels of Zn have increased the need for an alternative dietary strategy that minimizes the harmful effects of PWD while maintaining pig performance. Due to an immature gastrointestinal system, pigs often struggle to digest high protein diets. Reducing the dietary crude protein (CP) level of the diet while supplementing crystalline amino acids has been identified as an effective method to improve the fecal consistency and intestinal health of weanling piglets. Mixed implications on growth performance have been observed when dietary CP is reduced
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