CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF PIGS FED MUSARPOMS GRADE AS A REPLACEMENT FOR MAIZE IN THEIR DIETS.

ABSTRACT

The rising costs of conventional feed ingredients has prompted research into the use of unconventional feedstuffs (MUSARPOMS) in pig diets. This study was undertaken to develop a feed grade code name MUSPOMS at 50% using ripe plantain peels and Palm Oil Mill Slurry (POMS) as the major ingredients. In addition, the study also evaluated the effects of replacement of maize with MUSARPOMS on carcass traits of finishing pigs. Five Experimental Diets were formulated to incorporate MUSARPOMS grade (50%) as a replacement for maize at 0%, 30%, 40%, 50% and 60% in the diet of weaner pigs. A total of 20 weaner pigs were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments with four pigs per treatment in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD. Pigs with an initial weight of 10.00- 12.00kg were fed these diets ad libitum and watered for eight (8) weeks; with an adaptation period of two (2) weeks where the pigs were fed the control diet. At the end of the feeding trials, two pigs from each treatment were randomly selected and slaughtered to determine the carcass characteristics. The pigs were fasted overnight before slaughtering. The results of the carcass characteristics of pigs showed significant difference (P<0.05) in the live weight, wholesale cuts and organ weight but the spleen had no significant difference (P>0.05). Pigs fed 30% and 60% replacement level recorded the highest live weight. Thus, an increase in inclusion rate of MUSARPOMS based diet resulted in the production of lean carcasses. Consequently, it could be concluded that under the conditions of this study, incorporating MUSARPOMS grade in weaner pig diets had no adverse effect on the growth performance and carcass characteristics.