Effect of Doun Palm Mesocarp Meal (Hyphaene Thebaica) As Partial Replacement for Maize on Growth Performance and Haematological Indices of Weaned Pigs

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Doum palm mesocarp meal (DPMM) as partial replacement for maize on the growth performance and heamatological indices of weaned pigs. A total of 50 crossbred pigs with an initial weight of 7.12 ± 0.01 kg and weaned at 21 days of age were individually housed in pens and fed five experimental diets. Diet 1 (Corn based diet without doum palm mesocarp meal, DPMM was used to partially replace maize at 5 %, 10 %, 15 % and 2% in diet 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. The experimental diet were adequate in all nutrients and fed ad libitum for 56 days in a completely randomized design. DPPM contained crude protein (6.09 %), crude fibre (11.49 %), ether extract (1.75 %), ash (6.26 %) and energy (2933.7 kcal/kg). Average weight gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not influenced (P>0.05) by dietary treatments. Pack cell volume, red blood cell, platelet, mean platelet volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, white blood cell, neutrophils, basophils, monocytes and lymphocytes were higher (P>0.05) in T3, T4 and T5 than in T1 and T2. All values were within optimum ranges for healthy pigs. Result showed that DPMM can be used to partially replace maize up to 20 % without negatively affecting the performance and health status of weaned pigs.