PSVII-24 Growth performance and organ weight of weaned pigs fed diets with different fiber and fat sources

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the interactive effects of dietary fiber source and lipid source on growth performance and visceral organ weights of weaned pigs. Two hundred and eighty 21 days old pigs [initial body weight (BW) = 6.84 kg] were housed in 40 pens (7 pigs/pen). The pigs were fed 4 diets (10 pens/diet) in a randomized complete block design in 2 phases, Phase 1 from day 0 to 14 and Phase 2 from day 14 to 35. The diets were corn-soybean meal-based with either sugar beet pulp (SBP) or soybean hulls (SBH) as fiber source and either soybean oil (SBO) or choice white grease (CWG) as fat source in 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. The BW and feed intake were determined by phase, whereas visceral organ weights were determined on day 35. Fiber source and fat source did not interact on growth performance and organ weights relative to BW. Pigs fed CWG-containing diets had lower (P < 0.05) gain to feed ratio than those fed SBO-containing diets by 7.95% during Phase 1 of feeding. Pigs fed SBP-containing diets had lower (P < 0.05) gain to feed ratio than those fed SBH-containing diets by 7.94% during Phase 1 of feeding. However, pigs fed SBP-containing diets had greater (P < 0.05) stomach weight, and tended to have greater (P < 0.1) heart, small intestine and large intestine weights relative to BW than those fed SBO-containing diets. In conclusion, replacement of SBH with SBP in diets for weaned pigs reduced feed efficiency and increased visceral organ weights relative to BW, implying that the replacement of SBH with SBP in diets of weaned pigs increased energy expenditure in visceral organs. Inclusion of SBO (at the expense of CWG) in diets for weaned pigs can improve feed efficiency.