Philippine E-Journals

Profitability Of Enhancing Growth Rate Of Underweight Piglets With Nutrient Metabolites

Antonio J. Barroga | Rocelyn M. Barroga

Discipline: Veterinary Medicine

 

Abstract:

The study investigated the potential of nutrient metabolites (NM) in enhancing growth of underweight piglets and the profitability of the improvement rate. One hundred sixty (160) underweight piglets (Class C <5 kg at 19.56 days) were allotted to two treatments at four replicates with 20 pigs per replicate, namely: pre-starter diet (PS) and pre-starter diet + 500 grams/100 kg NM (PS+NM). Post weaning growth performance was monitored at day 0-13 post weaning, day 13-27 post weaning and day 0-27 post weaning. Results indicated impressive growth recovery at 13 days after weaning for the PS+NM group with an ADG of 227 g/d which was 17% higher than the ADG of the PS group with only 194 g/d (P<0.05). A significant feed conversion ratio was noted from day 13-27 post weaning and day 0-27 post weaning with improvement rates of 43.24% (P<0.05) and 31.97% (P<0.01), respectively. Finally, the comparative profitability showed that the PS+NM group had a net income of PhP 474.90 as compared to only PhP 272.65 for the PS group or 74.18% higher. The above results indicate the growth promotion effect and profitability of utilizing NM as an “add on” basis in the pre-starter diet of underweight piglets.