Identifier

etd-11092008-134145

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Animal Science (Animal, Dairy, and Poultry Sciences)

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: 1) to compare the effect of source and level of inclusion of dried whey permeate (DWP) and a carbohydrate product (CHO) on growth performance of nursery pigs, 2) to evaluate the effect of a fortified nutrient pack (FNP) on growth performance and total tract nutrient digestibility in growing/finishing pigs, and 3) to compare chromic oxide (Cr2O3) and acid insoluble ash (AIA) as digestibility markers for total tract digestibility determination in growing/finishing pigs. Three experiments were conducted to compare the feeding value of DWP (80% lactose) and CHO (40% lactose, 30% sucrose, and 10% glucose) in diets for nursery pigs. Results from these experiments indicate that the inclusion of DWP and CHO improved ADG and ADFI compared with pigs fed a diet without lactose. However, the importance of including a highly digestible carbohydrate source in diets for nursery pigs is more evident as pigs are weaned lighter and younger. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of FNP (fumaric, malic, citric, phosphoric, and lactic acids, L-carnitine, chromium picolinate, inulin, d-pantothenic acid, and niacin) on growth performance and total tract nutrient digestibility in growing/finishing pigs. Results from these experiments indicate that the addition of 0.25 or 0.50% FNP to the diets did not improve ADG, ADFI, or G/F of growing/finishing pigs. Dry matter, CP, and GE digestibility were not improved (P > 0.1) with the addition of FNP in 50-kg pigs. However, the addition of 0.25% FNP to the diets of 85-kg pigs during the last 14 d of growth, improved CP and GE digestibility. Two experiments were conducted to compare Cr2O3 and AIA as digestibility markers for total tract digestibility determination in growing/finishing pigs fed ad libitum. Results from these experiments indicate that Cr2O3 and AIA offer a rapid and reliable technique for digestibility determination in growing/finishing pigs. However, AIA showed superior characteristics compared with Cr2O3 as its analyzed values are more consistent, produce less environmental impact, and is more cost effective.

Date

2008

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

L. Lee Southern

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.1947

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