Effects of feeding diets containing undelinted undecorticated cottonseed cake on carcass characteristics of gilts

Abstract

Twenty four crossbred (Large White X Hampshire) female weaner pigs of average initial weight of 12.6 kg live weight were raised for a period 126 days from weaner to growing-finishing stage of average weight of 71.0kg in a trial in which undelinted undecorticated cottonseed cake (UUCSC) was fed at 0, 10, 20 and 30% of the 18%% or 16% crude protein diets. Animals were randomly assigned to pens on the basis of initial weight group and there were two pigs per pen in a randomized block design trial. Animals were fed 5% body weight and had free access to drinking water Gilts were weighed weekly and the trial lasted for 126 days. Twelve of the gilts were randomly selected and slaughtered for carcass analysis. As a result of this study, slaughter and carcass weights of gilts fed 30% UUCSC diet were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those fed 0, 10 and 20% UUCSC diets. The prime cuts (ham, shoulder and loin) were similar across dietary treatments. There was significant linear (P<0.05) reduction in loin-eye area while the back fat thickness significantly (P<O.05) increased as the levels of UUCSC increased in the diets. The gilts fed 30% UUCSC had significantly (P<0.05) lower liver kidneys and spleen weights as compared to those fed 0, 10and 20% UUCSC diets, Between the lungs and hearts of the gilts there were no significant differences (P>0.05) among them. There was significant linear (P<O.05) increase in stomach dimension while the gut dimensions were similar across dietary treatments. For good carcass quality, 20% UUCSC can be fed to gilts