Fiber source and inclusion level affects characteristics of excreta from growing pigs

Abstract

ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to determine the influence of varying fibrous diets on fecal characteristics of growing pigs.MethodsA total of 104 pigs (initial weight 18±2.0 kg) were used in the study. They were housed in individual pens and fed on diets containing maize cob, grass hay, lucerne hay, maize stover, and sunflower husk. These fibers were included at 0, 80, 160, 240, 320 and 400 g/kg. Fecal and urine samples were collected.ResultsFecal output was largest amongst pigs fed on diets containing grass hay and maize stover (p<0.05). Nitrogen content was highest in feces from pigs fed on sunflower husk (p< 0.05). Pigs fed on diets containing maize stover and maize cobs produced the largest concentrations of short chain fatty acids. Acetate concentration was high in feces of pigs fed maize stover than those fed grass hay and lucerne hay (p<0.05). As the level of fiber inclusion increased, fecal consistency and nitrogen content increased linearly (p<0.05). Urea nitrogen decreased as the inclusion level increased across all the fibers (p<0.05), with maize cobs containing the largest content of urea nitrogen. As dietary fiber content increased, fecal nitrogen content also increased (p<0.05).ConclusionIt was concluded that different fiber sources influence fecal characteristics, thereby having different implications on pig waste management. It is vital to monitor fiber inclusion thresholds so as to easily manage environmental pollutants such as butyrate that contribute to odors.

Effect of processed maize stover as an alternative energy source in swine production

“…Low diarrhoea rates in pigs fed diets supplemented with PMS may be due to cellulose nutrient function as well as the enzymes produced during microbial fermentation. It was reported that increasing dietary fibre content could reduce duration and severity of diarrhoea after piglets weaning (Yu et al, 2016;Mpendulo et al, 2018). Longland (1993) also reported that piglets had almost no obvious diarrhoea by adding wood cellulose (Solka-floc; S; Brown & Co., Berlin, NH, USA) to the pre-weaning piglet diet, and this fact was confirmed in our study.…”

Fiber digestibility in growing pigs fed common fiber-rich ingredients – A systematic review

“…Effects of fiber source on nutrient digestibility and fiber fermentability in pigs depends on the physiochemical properties of various fiber-rich ingredients (Molist et al, 2014;Mpendulo et al, 2018). The different physiochemical characteristics of fiberrich ingredients also affects SCFA production in the gut of pigs.…”

A mixture of quebracho and chestnut tannins drives butyrate-producing bacteria populations shift in the gut microbiota of weaned piglets

“…In a recent study, we evaluated tannins derived from chestnut and quebracho trees were evaluated for their capability to affect growth performance, blood metabolic profile, and faecal nitrogen concentration in post-weaned piglets [29]. Not surprisingly, we observed a higher fecal nitrogen excretion in tannin-fed piglets consistently with the known tannin property to form less digestible complexes with dietary proteins [30]. However, the performance of treated animals was comparable with that of controls, despite a very high dose of tannins administered.…”