NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY OF CROSSBRED WEANED PIGS FED SUNDRIED CASSAVA STARCH EXTRACT PULP

Abstract

As the search for alternative sources of energy for monogastrics animals to reduce competitions between humans and industries for available conventional feedstuffs continues, this study was undertaken to investigate the effect of sundried cassava starch extract pulp on nutrient digestibility of crossbred weaned pigs. Cassava starch extract pulp from cassava processing factory in Ado-Awaye near Iseyin in Oyo State were processed into meal by sundrying for three weeks and included in diets at graded levels of 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% in a complete randomized design experiment using eight weeks old crossbred (largewhite x landrace) weaned pigs. Crude protein, ash, crude fibre, ether extract, dry matter, nitrogen free extract similarly gave values on the processed sundried cassava starch extract pulp diets that were comparable or even superior to values on the control diet (p<0.05). Based on the findings of this study, it is concluded that inclusion of sundried cassava starch extract pulp meal in diet at 75% has no deleterious effects on nutrient digestibility of crossbred weaned pigs.