EVALUATION OF THE POTENTIAL OF PANICUM MAXIMUM FORAGE ON GUT MICROBIAL POPULATION OF PIGS

Abstract

A trial was conducted to determine the potential Panicum maximum fresh forage using grower pigs. A total of 30 grower pigs at average weight of 18kg were used in the 63 days feeding trial. Five diets were formulated which contained 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% levels of the fresh forage respectively. Each diet formed a treatment which was fed to the pigs and were fed 4% of their body weight, and water given ad- libitum. Treatments were replicated thrice and each replicate contained two pigs in a completely randomised design (CRD). The parameters taken were segmental gut contents from the stomach, caecum and colon which were collected by dissecting the gut segments. The digesta from the segments were collected in plane sterile 10ml tubes and taken to the laboratory for microbial gut population count. Result from the treatments showed that the numerical values of these beneficial microbes significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the forage treated group of pigs when compared with the control. This trial therefore concludes that dietary inclusion of Panicum maximum forage in pigs increased the beneficial microbial gut population. It is therefore, recommended that pig farmers should include fresh grass forages in the diet of grower pigs for improved gut health and improved performance.