Effect of Dietary Inclusion Levels of Blood Meal on Performance of Weaner Piglets

Abstract

Conflicting results of the nutritional qualities of different processed blood meal
has been established in animal nutrition. Therefore, an experiment was conducted
to investigate the effect of graded dietary levels of blood meal (BM) on the growth
performance of growing pigs in 112 days. 24 weaned pigs (Large white x
Landrace) with an average body weight of 10.3±3kg were randomly assigned to
four dietary treatments (D1, D2, D3 and D4) containing blood meal at 0, 2.7, 5.4
and 8.1% levels respectively. Each treatment was replicated thrice (2 piglets per
replicate) in a Completely Randomized Design. Results showed that the feed
intake of grower pigs fed diets containing 2.7 and 5.4% BM was similar (p>0.05)
and significantly higher than in other treatments. Final and daily weight gain
(27.00±0 and 0.30±0) kg were significantly highest in piglets offered dietary
treatment D4 (8.1% BM inclusion) than other treatment groups. Feed conversion
ratio was lowest in piglets fed diet of 2.7% BM inclusion. The feed cost(N)/kg
gain for growing pigs on 0 and 8.1% diets were similar (P>0.05) but significantly
lower than those on 5.4% diet. It’s concluded that blood meal could be
incorporated in the diets of weaner piglets at 8.1% for effective growth
performance and significant reduction in production cost.