Effect of Feeding Palm Oil (Elaeis guineensis) Sludge as a Partial Replacement of Maize on the Performance of Growing Crossbred (Large White Yorkshire x Zovawk) Pigs

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the performance of growing pigs fed diet having different levels of palm oil sludge (POS) as a replacement of maize. Fifteen growing crossbred pigs (Large White Yorkshire x Zovawk) of average BW 27.06 kg were randomly selected and divided into three groups with 5 pigs per group in a completely randomized design. Three experimental iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric rations were formulated (NRC, 1998) where dried palm oil sludge was incorporated at the rate of 0%(Group-1), 15%(Group-2) and 25% (group-3) level by replacing maize. The feeding trial was continued for 42 days. The final body weight (kg) was 49.16±3.08, 45.10± 3.61 and 44.34 ± 2.86 for Group-1, Group-2 and Group-3, respectively.  There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the average feed intake, average daily gain and feed conversion ratio among the different treatment groups. Blood biochemical parameters did not differ significantly (P>0.05), irrespective of different dietary treatments and were within the physiological range of pigs. It was concluded that palm oil sludge up to 25% can be incorporated in the diet of cross bred pigs by replacing maize grain without adverse effect on the growth performance and blood biochemical parameters in pigs.