The feeding value of rumen content-maggot meal mixture in the diets of early weaned piglets

Abstract

Forty five piglets weaned at 28 days of age were used in this experiment to investigate the effect of Rumen Content-Maggot Meal Mixture (RCMM) in their diet. RCMM was included at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%. Increasing the level of RCMM in the diets of weaned pigs had no significant effect (p>0.05) on weight gain and feed to gain ratio. However, the treatment had a significant effect (p>0.05) on feed intake. There was also no treatment effect (p>0.05) on nitrogen intake, urinary and feacal nitrogen and nitrogen digestibility. Feed cost slightly decreased from N22.87 at 0 to N22.56 at 20%. The results of this feeding trial showed that early weaned pigs could tolerate 10% RCMM in diet without any adverse effect on performance. © 2008 Academic Journals Inc.