Nutrient digestibility and reproductive performance of pregnant gilts fed cassava peel and palm kernel cake meal based diet

Abstract

Twenty-four weeks feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of cassava peel (CP) and palm kernel cake (PKC) meal-based diets on the apparent digestibility and reproductive performance of pregnant gilts. The mixture was achieved on a one- to-one weight basis. The mixture replaced maize at 0 (control), 10, 20, 30and 40% levels. Forty large white breed gilts with average weight (43-45kg) were randomly allocated to the five diets, replicated eight times in a completely randomized design (CRD) with eight gilts per diet. Feed and water were provided as required. Apparent digestibility was significantly (p˂0.05) affected, while productive performance of average weekly weight gain was significantly (p˂0.05) higher on diet 0% (2.93kg) compared to diets 10 (2.86), 20 (2.55), 30 (2.83) and 40% (2.42kg). Feed intake was significantly (p˂0.05) better on diets 20% (18.92kg), 30 and 40% (18.90kg) compared to diets 10 (18.68) and 0% (18.50kg) respectively. Feed conversion ratio significantly (p˂0.05) differ on diet 0% (6.31) compared to diets (10, 6.53; 20, 7.42; 30, 6.68; 40, 7.80). Protein efficiency ratio (PER) was significantly (p<0.05) better on diet 30% (4.60) compared to diets 20 (4.29), 0 (3.42), 40(3.30) and 20% (2.77) in that order. The average weight of piglets at farrowing was significantly (p<0.05) higher in 40% (1.20) diet compared to diets 10, 20, 30 (1.10kg) and 0% (0.97kg) respectively. Therefore, 10% diet is recommended since it enhances the reproductive performance of pregnant gilts and compete famously with other diets at total piglets’ weight at farrowing.