Effect of Feeding Open-Air Dried Broiler Litter on Nutrient Digestibility, Growth and Carcass Composition in Growing-Finishing Pig Diets

Abstract

Fifty-four (Large White strain) grower pigs were used to evaluate broiler litter as potential feedstuff for growing-finishing pigs. Pigs were randomly allotted to one of three dietary treatments; O, 15 and 30 % broiler litter inclusion levels. Each treatment was replicated six times with three pigs/replicate in a completely randomized block design. Test diets were formulated to contain 20% crude protein and 3200 kcal/kg digestible energy. Pigs were housed in total confinement in a concrete-slatted floor house containing twenty pens; each measuring 7.4 × 1.75 m and equipped with feed and water troughs that were about 3.6 m apart. The apparent digestibility of nutrients decreased with increasing incorporation of broiler litter in the diets of growing-finishing pigs, especially crude protein. The apparent digestibility of crude protein and the daily growth rate were depressed by the increasing inclusion of broiler litter in the diet. Daily feed intake was increased and the feed conversion ratio was highest at 30% broiler litter feeding. Animals on broiler litter-based diets had lower body weight at slaughter while carcass length and backfat thickness decreased with increasing level of broiler litter inclusion. Percent spleen was increased by the inclusion of broiler litter. Ash content of the muscles increased whereas ether extracts and crude protein decreased with increase in the levels of broiler litter in the diet. Feeding broiler litter at 30% level gave higher moisture content (3.8%), calcium (0.04%), phosphorus (0.8%) and a lower gross energy (5649 kcal/kg) content for muscle composition. The inclusion of broiler litter in growing-finishing pigs’ rations reduced growth performance; but improved the carcass quality when fed at 30% inclusion level and reduced feed cost at 15% inclusion level. Appropriate feeding strategies are required to optimise performance, carcass quality and feed cost.

Keywords: Carcass quality, feed cost, muscle composition.