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 (Con100); Treatment 2 contained 50% concentrate and 50% hydroponics maize fodder (Con50HM50) while Treatment 3 had 100% hydroponics maize fodder diet (HM100). 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 Con100 had the highest (P < 0.05) final weight while the lowest weight was recorded in pigs on diet HM100. Feed intake and weight gain were highest (P < 0.05) in pigs fed concentrate diet (Con100) while the lowest intake was in animals fed HM100. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved (P < 0.05) in pigs fed Con100 and Con50HM50 respectively. Crude protein, crude fibre and ether extract digestibilities were improved (P < 0.05) in animals fed Con100. Pigs fed dietary mixtures of concentrate and hydroponics maize fodder (Con50HM50) had better (P < 0.05) CP and CF digestibility as compared to those on HM100. Inclusion of hydroponics maize fodder in pig nutrition improved performance and nutrient digestibility of weaned pigs.