EFFECTS OF FEEDING HYDROPONICS MAIZE FODDER ON PERFORMANCE AND NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY OF WEANED PIGS

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding hydroponics maize fodder on performance and nutrient digestibility of weaned pigs. A total of 36 pigs were allocated in a completely randomized design to 3 treatments. Treatment 1 contained 100% concentrate (Con 100 ); Treatment 2 contained 50% concentrate and 50% hydroponics maize fodder (Con 50 HM 50 ) while Treatment 3 had 100% hydroponics maize fodder diet (HM 100 ). Each treatment had 12 weaned pigs with three replicates of four pigs per replicate. The experiment lasted for six weeks. Dietary treatments had significant effects (P < 0.05) on final weight, weight gain and feed conversion ratio of the pigs. Pigs fed Con 100 had the highest (P < 0.05) final weight while the lowest weight was recorded in pigs on diet HM 100 . Feed intake and weight gain were highest (P < 0.05) in pigs fed concentrate diet (Con 100 ) while the lowest intake was in animals fed HM 100 . Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved (P < 0.05) in pigs fed Con 100 and Con 50 HM 50 respectively. Crude protein, crude fibre and ether extract digestibilities were improved (P < 0.05) in animals fed Con 100 . Pigs fed dietary mixtures of concentrate and hydroponics maize fodder (Con 50 HM 50 ) had better (P < 0.05) CP and CF digestibility as compared to those on HM 100 . Inclusion of hydroponics maize fodder in pig nutrition improved performance and nutrient digestibility of weaned pigs.