The effects of graded levels of bovine rumen contents (digesta) supplemented with unripe plantain peels on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility of growing pigs

This study investigated the effects of graded levels of bovine rumen contents (digesta) supplemented with unripe plantain peels on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility of growing pigs. Digesta and unripe plantain peel meal were mixed in the ration of 3:1 and allowed to ferment in an air tight environment for six days and after that was sundried. The pigs were divided into 5 groups based on average initial weights (20-25kg) and each group of grower pigs were respectively allocated to each of the five treatment diets using a completely randomized design (CRD). Each treatment group contained 2 replicates of 4 pigs (2 male and 2 female). These pigs were fed twice daily and water supplied adlibitium. The treatment diets consisted of the following of DUPPM at 0% (controlled), 20%, 40%, 60% & and 80% (controlled) replacement of maize in the control diet were formulated. During the feeding trial, weekly feed consumption, weight changes, and nutrient digestibility were recorded for all the levels, while weight gain, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio were estimated to assess performance of the weaner pigs. The results from the study shows significant (p<0.05) differences on the performance characteristics of grower pigs, while animals on 80% diet gave the best compared to other diets in final weight gain, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio (25.67kg, 2.06 and 2.52) respectively. There were significant differences (P<0.05) on the nutrient digestibility of the pigs. It was concluded that DUPPM could completely replace maize without adversely affecting the overall growth performance of the pigs. Implications and recommendations were made from the findings of the study.