The Influence of Phase Feeding Methods on Growth Performance, Meat Quality, and Production Cost in Growing-Finishing Pigs

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of phase feeding methods on growth performance, carcass characteristics, pork quality, and economical efficiency in growing-finishing pigs. A total of 120 crossbred pigs ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc), average initial body weight 25.23 ± 2.66 kg, were allotted to 5 treatments by body weight and sex in a randomized complete block (RCB) design. Each treatment had 6 replicates with 4 pigs per pen. The treatments were 1) A (fed late weaner feed during whole phase), 2) B (fed late weaner feed in growing phase and grower feed in finishing phase), 3) C (fed grower feed during whole phase), 4) D (fed grower feed in growing phase and early finisher feed in early and late finishing phase), 5) E (fed grower feed in growing phase, early finisher feed in early finishing phase and late finisher feed in late finishing phase). Commercial diets bought from private feed company were used for this experiment. During the early growing phase (6 wks), treatments A and B showed higher growth performance than that of other treatments (P<0.05). However, growth performance tended to be similar among treatments at 10 wks after feeding and there was no difference in time of market weight (13 wks). Moreover, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration was lowered in treatment E than other treatments during whole experimental period (P<0.01). Carcass characteristics and pork quality were measured when body weight of pigs reached at 110.33 ± 2.1 kg. Days to market weight (110 kg), quality grade, pork color, and pork pH did not show any significant difference among treatments. These results suggested that phase feeding based upon growth stages of pigs showed no detrimental effects on growth performance and the pork quality. Moreover, feed cost was saved approximately 37% by phase feeding method without delaying of days to market weight compared to general conventional feeding method (B) of swine farm in Korea. (Key words : Growing-finishing pigs, Phase feeding method, Feed cost)

Various levels of copra meal supplementation with β-Mannanase on growth performance, blood profile, nutrient digestibility, pork quality and economical analysis in growing-finishing pigs

“…Münchow and Bergner [29] reported that there was a highly negative correlation between the biological value of feed and BUN content. Increase of BUN concentration indicated that excessive amino acids are inefficiently metabolized and circulated in the blood before excretion [30, 31]. Although a linear response by CM supplementation level was observed at 6 week, the BUN value of all treatments were in normal range (10.0 – 30.0 mg/dL).…”

Effect of dietary energy levels and phase feeding by protein levels on growth performance, blood profiles and carcass characteristics in growing-finishing pigs

“…Similarly, Lee et al [ 26 ] represented that two or three phase feedings resulted less BUN concentration compared to that of one phase feeding. Excessive consumption of protein decreased the availability of protein [ 18 ] and increased the excretion of the nitrogen as urea form [ 15 ]. Thus, increase of BUN concentration indicated that excessive amino acids are inefficiently metabolized and circulated in the blood before excretion [ 18 ].…”

“…Excessive consumption of protein decreased the availability of protein [ 18 ] and increased the excretion of the nitrogen as urea form [ 15 ]. Thus, increase of BUN concentration indicated that excessive amino acids are inefficiently metabolized and circulated in the blood before excretion [ 18 ]. The result of current study was in agreement with previous researches which observed reduction of BUN concentration with supplementation of lower crude protein diet [ 6 , 7 , 13 , 18 ].…”

“…Thus, increase of BUN concentration indicated that excessive amino acids are inefficiently metabolized and circulated in the blood before excretion [ 18 ]. The result of current study was in agreement with previous researches which observed reduction of BUN concentration with supplementation of lower crude protein diet [ 6 , 7 , 13 , 18 ]. In the results of growth performance, increasing subdivision of phase feeding or reduced dietary crude protein level had no detrimental effects.…”

“…In livestock industry, providing adequate nutrients has been noted as the most important factor to achieve efficient and profitable animal production. Providing of insufficient nutrients limits the potential growth and production of animal, while feeding of excessive nutrients reduces the economic profitability and causes environment pollution [ 18 , 19 , 31 ]. Providing adequate nutrients to animal is difficult because nutrient requirements of animal continuously are changed with aging [ 29 ].…”