Effect of Wheat Bran Utilization on the Performance of Finishing Pig at Tang Hang Ly Farm

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at the Tang Hang Ly pig farm, located in Kandal province. 24-crossbred growing pigs were identified initially as T₀, T₁, T₂, T₃ with average weight 49.17±0.75 kg, 49.33±1.37 kg, 49.33±1.63 kg, 49.83±1.47 kg respectively. The aims of this research were, (1) to determine the optimum level of wheat bran in the diet for growing-finishing pig and (2) to evaluate the economic efficiency of using wheat bran in pig diet. The experiment was randomly designed by CRD (completely randomized design) and was divided into four treatments and three replicates. There were two pigs in each replicate and the pigs were offered feed with different levels: 0%, 25%, 35% and 45% of wheat bran in the feed concentration. The results showed that, the average daily weight gain in T₂ (610.4±38.3g) with the 35% concentration of wheat bran was significantly higher than the feed concentrations of 45% in T₃ (570.8±79.7g) and 25% in T₁ (562.1±71.58g). The control diet in T₀ had a weight gain of 558.6±88.62g. The daily feed intake was highest with the 35% wheat bran concentration in T₂ (2.231±0.02 kg/head), followed by lower feed intake with the wheat bran concentrations of 45% in T₃ (2.018±0.11 kg/head). This did not differ from the control diet in T₀ (2.032±0.23 kg/head) and the 25% wheat bran concentration in T₁ (2.023±0.09 kg/head). It was noted that the diet of T₂ with a wheat bran concentration of 35% consumed the most feed compared to the other treatments. Besides, there was a significant interaction with feed conversion ratio (P<0.05) in which T₂ (3.66±0.21) were much higher than T₀ (3.65±0.24), T₁ (3.62±0.34), and T₃ (3.55±0.21). This means that wheat bran was more effective if it was used at a lower feed concentration in order to gain 1 kg of meat. In conclusion, the results showed that the T₂ which was fed the 35% concentration of wheat bran could be utilized effectively as basal diet for growing finish-pig, which started from 50 kg to 100 kg, with superior economic returns.