Studies on energy requirements of minipigs: energy requirements of shoats of pet minipigs

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to determine required amounts of nutrients for pet minipigs fed on a milk substitute using 5-day old minipigs. We calculated the coefficient (Y) of metabolic energy requirement (MER) and basal metabolic rate (BMR) as Y = MER/BMR. [7][9]. We obtained a natural logarithmic equation of coefficient Y on BW^0.75 [4] for minipigs whose ages were 3-9 months old (Experiment 1). The amount of feed used was determined by this coefficient Y. Then the coefficient Y was again calculated (Experiment 2). Based on the report [12] which showed that the amount of feed that is 60% of full stomach could induce longer lifespan, we reduced the amount of feed for minipigs on pig starter diet to 60% after their growth curve became the same as that for those on mother's milk. Their coefficient Y was again calculated (Experiment 3). We found that weight gain by minipigs on pig starter diet was lower than that of those on mother's milk. The logarithmic equation of the coefficient Y in Experiment 3 is shown below. This equation can be a basis for calculating proper amount of feeds for pet minipigs. The body condition score (BCS) of minipigs on mother's milk was 4-5, whereas that of those on pig starter diet was only 3. The reduced amount of feed did not cause any health problem.
Y = -0.2597Ln(x) + 2.0008(P<0.01, n=147, r=-0.8094, X=BW^0.75, MER/BMR=Y, ME/DE×100=96.5%)
Provisioning amount(kg)=DER(kcal/day)÷Feed DE(kcal/kg).