EFFECT OF GRADED LEVELS OF CASSAVA SIEVIATE/PALM KERNEL CAKE MIXTURES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF WEANER PIGS

Abstract

A twelve-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of graded levels of cassava sieviate/palm kernel cake mixture on the performance of weaner pigs. The mixture was achieved on one to one basis between cassava sieviate and palm kernel cake. The mixture replaced maize at 0 (control), 25, 50 and 75% and designated A, B, C and D and was replicated twice. Thirty two (32) large white x land race crossbred weaner pigs of mixed sexes were randomly allocated to the four diets in a completely randomized design at four animals per diet. Feed and water were made available as required. Average feed intake was significantly higher (p˂0.05) on the control (3.82kg/day) than on diets B (3.32), C (3.39) and D (3.67 kg), respectively. Intake on diet D was significantly higher than on diets B and C. Average weight gain was significantly higher (p˂0.05) on diet A (2.78 kg) than on diets C (2.61) and D (2.43 kg) only. Feed conversion ratio was significantly better (p˂0.05) on diet B (1.89) than on the other diets (A, 2.38; C, 2.32; D, 2.50), respectively. However, the value on diet D was better than on diet C. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) was better on diet B (2.60) than on diets C (2.30), A (2.06) and D (1.93), respectively. Final body weight was significantly higher on diet A than on diets C and D only. Therefore, animals on diet B had comparably better performance than the control and the other diets and so diet B (25% of maize replaced by cassava sieviate/pkc mixture) is recommended.