Productivity of Weaning-Starter Pigs Fed Fermented Liquid Feed

Abstract

        The pigs after weaning are very susceptible to developing digestive disturbances and gastrointestinal diseases, resulting in stresses on the pigs and consequently an inability to meet their growth potential. Therefore, this study to evaluate the effect of feeding fermented liquid feed (FLF) to weaning-starter on aspects of growth performance and nutrient digestibility was investigated in four experiments. The first experiment studied the use of total FLF in starter pigs compared to dry feed (DF) and liquid concentrate feed (LCF). The second experiment was studied to find the suitable amount of FLF for starter pig feeding. The third experiment was studied for productive efficiency in starter pigs fed with different inclusion level (20, 30 and 40 %) of FLF and the fourth experiment was studied the effect of using FLF on nutrient digestibility in starter pigs (10-20 kgBW). The results found the suitable concentrate feed for nursery pigs should be fermented using feed and water mixed in the ratio of 1:2.5 (w/w), with addition of 1.1% citric acid, for 48 hours of incubation. It was found that total FLF feeding caused the reduction of feed intake of the pigs. However, the use of FLF in weaning to starter pigs should not be more than 40%. Therefore, it is concluded that the use of FLF in weaning to starter pigs diets should not be more than 40%. Additionally, total FLF should not fed at the first week after weaning due to the sour taste of fermented liquid feeds caused the reduction of piglet feed intake. FLF should be gradually added up in order to let the pigs adjust themselves to fermented liquid feed.