Performance and carcass characteristics of growing pigs fed varying levels of beniseed (Sesamum indicum L.) hull in replacement for maize (Zea mays LINN)

Abstract

Sixty (60) grower-finisher pigs (Landrace x Large white) were used to investigate the nutritional value of beniseed hull (BSH) as substitute for maize on performance, carcass, and organs characteristics of the experimental animals. Five experimental diets were formulated by incorporating BSH into basal diet to replace maize at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%; designated as T1 (control), T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively. The experimental pigs were individually weighed and assigned to five dietary treatments of three replicates of four animals each in a completely randomized design. The animals were fed for 2 weeks pre-experimental period and thereafter for ten weeks during which data were collected. Feed cost per kg live weight gain (? 668.67) of the animals fed 0% BSH significantly (P<0.05) reduced to ? 620.06 (25% BSH), ? 527.24 (50% BSH), ? 509.74 (75% BSH) and ? 456.73 (100% BSH). The bled weight, scald weight, eviscerated weight, dressing percentage, bacon, fore hock, hind hock and tail were significantly (P<0.05) affected by dietary treatments. The biggest liver weight (2.27g/kg) obtained in the animals fed the control diet (0% BSH) reduced significantly (P<0.05) to 2.20 (25% BSH), 1.91 (50% BSH), 1.76 (75% BSH) and 2.00 (100% BSH). Variations obtained in the kidney weight (0.40 g/kg) of the experimental animals fed with 25% BSH-based diets were similar (P>0.05) to 0.38 g/kg in the control (0% BSH) with both significantly (P<0.05) reduced to 0.36 (50% BSH), 0.36 (75% BSH) and 0.32 (100% BSH), respectively. Beniseed hull (BSH) poses no health challenge to the pigs used in this study. There were reductions in the cost/kg and cost of feed per kilogram live-weight gain with increasing levels of BSH in the diets, the lowest being at 100% level of substitution; beniseed hull could economically and safely replace maize in pig's diets up to 100% level.