Abstract 73

Balogun,-TF; Aduku,-AO; Dim,-NI; Olorunju,-SAS

Department of Animal Science, Ahmadu Belle University, Zaria, Nigeria.

Animal-Feed-Science-and-Technology. 1990, 30: 3-4, 193-201; 19 ref.

A total of 56 weaner and growing-finishing Large White X Landrace pigs were used in 2 growth studies and a digestibility study to estimate the value of undecorticated cottonseed meal (UCSM) as a protein supplement replacing soyabean meal (SBM). In a 35-day experiment, 4 groups of 6 pigs about 18.8 kg were individually fed on isonitrogenous diets containing 0, 10, 20 or 30% UCSM. Daily feed intake (FI) did not differ between treatments. Daily gain and feed/gain ratio was similar between control and 10% UCSM groups, but the control group gained more than the 20 or 30% UCSM groups (P < 0.05). In a second 35-day experiment, 24 crossbred pigs about 53.1 kg were fed on diets containing 0, 20, 30 or 41.1% UCSM (without SBM) in a randomized design. There were no differences in FI across treatments. Weight gain was reduced with 20% UCSM and gain and feed/gain ratio decreased linearly with increasing proportion of UCSM. The growth studies showed that 10% was the optimum inclusion of UCSM. These were supported by results of metabolic studies.