Performance of Grower Pigs Fed Boiled Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) Seed Meal Diets

Abstract

Twenty-four growing pigs were used to determine the replacement value of boiled pigeon pea seed diets (PSM) for soybean and maize in pig diets. The inclusion levels of boiled PSM were 0, 20, 25 and 30 %. The experimental design was completely randomized design (CRD). There were four treatments each replicated thrice with two weaned pigs per replicate. Measurements were live weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and cost benefits. The experiment lasted for four months. Feed intake was not significantly (p>0.05) different among the treatments; although, pigs fed T4 had numerically higher values (0.80 kg) of these indices than pigs fed the other diets. Feed conversion ratio was higher with T1 (9.03) and showed a significant difference (p<0.05) between the treatments. Pigs fed T4 diet gave numerically higher value (0.16) of the daily protein intake and better protein efficiency ratio than pigs fed other diets. The cost per kg diet and daily feed cost were not significantly different (p>0.05) among the treatments but, pigs fed T1 diet had numerically higher values of these indices than pigs fed the other diets (N47.69 and 36.72) respectively. Cost/kg weight gain was significantly different (p<0.05) which T1 had a higher value (N430.64) of these indices than pigs fed other diets. It was concluded that boiled PSM could replace soybean and maize in growing pig diets and the inclusion level could be up to 30 % of the diet and it enhanced the feeding and the performance of pigs.