Efficiency of utilization of food energy by growing pigs

Abstract

SUMMARY The efficiency of utilization of the energy of the food by growing pigs of the Large White breed was measured. Ten diets had a digestible energy varying from 75·3 ± 0·91 to 85·7 + 0·81% and a metabolizable energy from 72·3± ·92 to 83·4±0·64% of the gross energy. Net energy was 85·2±3·20% of the metabolizable energy (ME). Regression calculations resulted in the following estimates: a maintenance requirement of 151 kcal ME for growing pigs weighing 9–58 kg and efficiencies of 66·7 and 100% for the utilization of ME for protein and fat accretion, respectively. Feeding regime ( ad libitum or restricted at about 80% ad libitum ) did not influence food utilization.