Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-1996

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Animal Science

Major Professor

Alan G. Mathew

Committee Members

Frank B. Masincupp, John Waller

Abstract

A total of 684 weanling pigs were used in five experiments to evaluate the use of spray-dried blood meal (SDBM), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in starter diets for pigs weaned at 35 days of age. In Exp. 1, 121 pigs (initially 8.64 kg and 35 days of age) were utilized to evaluate three levels of SDBM in nutrient-dense starter diets. Pigs were fed diets containing 0 (control), 2, 4, or 6% SDBM. For the first 14 days post-weaning these diets contained 10% dried whey, and for the remaining 14 days pigs were fed corn-soybean meal based diets containing the experimental treatments. ADG from day 14 to 28 was decreased (P < .05) for all SDBM levels and for the overall (0 to 28 d) period those pigs receiving the 6% SDBM diet had reduced (P < .05) ADG and reduced (P < .004) G/F. Pigs fed the 6% diet were lighter (P < .03) at the end of the trial than pigs fed the other treatments. In Exp. 2, 151 pigs (initially 8.70 kg and 36 days of age) were utilized to evaluate three levels of SDBM in nutrient-dense starter diets and their effects on subsequent growth periods. Pigs were fed diets containing 0 (control), 2, 3, or 4% SDBM for the first 14 days post-weaning. These diets contained 10% dried whey during the first 14 days and were corn-soybean meal based for the remainder of the trial. ADG was improved (P < .05) the first 14 days for pigs receiving the 3 and 4% SDBM diets. These pigs were also heavier (P < .05) than pigs fed the control diet. ADF was not affected during the trial, but pigs receiving the 3% SDBM diet were more (P < .05) efficient than the controls. During the subsequent finishing period, pigs which had received the 4% SDBM diet were heavier (P < .05) at each weigh period than the controls, but were not different from pigs fed the other SDBM levels. From 28 to 56 days the 3%-fed pigs had improved (P < .03) ADG. ADF for the 28 to 56 d, 0 to 56 d, and overall (0 to 69 d) periods was improved (P < .05) for pigs which had received the 4% SDBM diet. Days to market were not affected by dietary treatment. In Exp. 3, 129 pigs (initially 7.4 kg and 35 days of age) were used to determine how long post-weaning SDBM needs to be added to diets to improve performance of weanling swine. Experimental treatments were the same as Exp. 2 except that they were applied for the full five week nursery period instead of just the first 14 days post-weaning. ADG was improved (P < .02) for the 7 to 14 d period for pigs fed the 3% diet compared to the 2% diet, but was not different from pigs fed the control diet. Overall (0 to 35 d) the controls gained faster (P < .05) than did pigs fed either a 2 or 4% SDBM but were not different from pigs fed the 3% SDBM diet. For the overall trial (0 to 35 d) pigs fed the control diet were more (P < .05) efficient than pigs receiving the 2 or 4% SDBM diets, but were not different from those receiving the 3% diet. In Exp. 4, 128 pigs (initially 8.4 kg and 33 days of age) were utilized to determine the optimal level of Cu from CuSO₄ ·5H₂O to Utilize in starter diets of pigs weaned at 35 days of age. Pigs were fed diets containing 0(control), 50, 150, or 250 mg/kg of Cu from CuSO₄ ·5H₂O For the first 14 days post-weaning all diets contained 3% SDBM and 10% dried whey. ADG, from day 0 to 14, was improved (P < .05) by the addition of 50 mg/kg Cu and there was no difference between pigs consuming the 50 and 150 mg/kg diets. ADF was not affected during any phase of the nursery period. Pigs receiving the control diet were more efficient (P < .04) than pigs receiving the 250 mg/kg diets. During the subsequent finishing period, where pigs were fed common finishing diets, ADG was not affected; but pigs fed the control diet had improved (P < .04) ADF for the first 30 days, and were more efficient (P < .04) overall than pigs fed diets containing supplemental Cu. Pigs fed the 150 mg/kg diet had reduced (P < .02) days to market compared to pigs receiving the control and the 250 mg/kg diets. In Exp. 5, 155 pigs (initially 9.9 kg and 33 days of age) were utilized to determine if diets containing 3% SDBM and 150 mg/kg Cu could be further improved by the addition of 3000 mg/kg Zn from ZnO. Experimental diets were 0(control), 150 mg/kg Cu, 3000 mg/kg Zn or 150 mg/kg Cu + 3000 mg/kg Zn. ADG and ADF were improved (P < .05) the first 14 days for the pigs consuming the combination diet. From 28 to 42 days, pigs fed the combination diet had reduced (P < .04) ADG and reduced (P < .0007) G/F. Overall, 0 to 42 days, pigs fed the combination diet were less efficient (P < .05) than pigs consuming other diets. During the subsequent finishing period, where pigs were fed common finishing diets, performance was not affected by dietary treatment fed during the nursery period; but pigs which had consumed the combination diet had increased (P < .04) days to market. Based on data from these trials we conclude that for the first 14 days post-weaning, performance of pigs weaned at 35 days of age is optimized when pigs are fed nutrient-dense diets containing 3% SDBM, 150 mg/kg Cu from copper sulfate, and 3000 mg/kg Zn from ZnO.

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