Abstract

A total of 32 weaner piglets (Landrace x Yorkshire) with an average initial body weight of 9.6 +/- 1.2 kg, and 29.8 +/- 2.7 days of age, were used in a 28-day growth assay to compare low-glycoalkaloid potato protein with fish meal as the main protein source. The piglets were housed pair-wise in pens and were fed semi-ad libitum. During feeding the piglets were separated allowing individual feeding within the pen. Four diets were tested with varying proportions of a high quality fish meal ( F) and low-glycoalkaloid potato protein ( P): diet A ( 10% F); diet B (5% F and 5% P); diet C (2.5% F and 7.5% P) and diet D ( 10% P). On average, in weeks 1 - 4, the piglets on diets C and D had higher feed intakes (17%; P<0.01) and daily weight gains (18%; P<0.05) than the piglets on diets A and B. There was no effect of diet ( P > 0.05) on feed conversion. It can be concluded from the present study that low-glycoalkaloid potato protein can completely replace high quality fish meal in diets for weaner pigs. The improved feed intake and daily gain with increasing inclusion suggests that low-glycoalkaloid potato protein may be superior to fish meal as a protein source for weaner pigs

Published in

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science
2004, volume: 54, number: 2, pages: 75-80
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS AS

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