Determination of ileal digestibility by shunt technique in the early-weaned pig: Methodological aspects and utilisation of starch-rich diets

Abstract

The ileal digestibility of nutrients was measured in early-weaned piglets at 5–6-kg live weight, fitted with an ileo-rectal shunt. Six isonitrogenous diets were compared, based either on wheat, barley or tapioca and fed semi ad libitum. Two successive 7-day periods of balance studies after a recovery period of 3 days, until 41 days of age were performed. Balance data were measured and compared with results obtained simultaneously from 36 intact animals. The “shunt” piglets grew at a rate of 71 and 158 g day −1 vs. 176 and 293 g day −1 for intact pigs during Periods 1 and 2, respectively. Values of dry-matter intake were 16 and 33 g kg −1 live weight vs. 26.5 and 37 g kg −1 for intact animals during the corresponding periods. Average ileal and total digestibilities for dry matter were 80.1 vs 87.6% and for nitrogen 77.4 vs. 87.6%, respectively. The improvement in the dry-matter ileal digestibility between the two periods, i.e. 79.0 and 81.2%, could be mostly explained by the digestibility of the nitrogeneous fraction, which was increased from 74.3 to 80.6%. The presence of soybean meal or fibrous components such as barley or wheat bran decreased the digestibility of the major nutrients. The ileal digestibility of starch was very high even during the first period 97.2–99.9%; tapioca starch was comparatively more digestible than wheat starch.