Effects of Diets Differing in Crude Protein and Digestible Energy Levels on Body Weight Gain and Back Fat Thickness in Okinawa Agu Pigs

Abstract

To clarify the nutritional balance suitable for Agu pigs in the growing period （25-45 kg）, we examined the effects of each of four types of feed with different crude protein （CP） and digestible energy （DE） levels and constant essential amino acid content on body weight gain and back fat thickness. The CP and DE contents were 18.4％ and 4.0 Mcal/kg in high CP high DE feed, 18.2％ and 3.6 Mcal/kg in high CP low DE feed, 16.7％ and 4.1 Mcal/kg in low CP high DE feed, and 16.5％ and 3.6 Mcal/kg in low CP low DE feed, respectively.

Daily gain and feed efficiency in the high CP group were higher than those in the low CP group, however, differences among treatments were not significant. The effect of feed was observed on the daily gain of back fat thickness. Gain was lower in the low-DE group than in the high-DE group. These results suggest that feeding with reduced DE-feed relative to conventional feed may suppress back fat gain without affecting body weight gain of Agu pigs in their early growth stage.

Journal of Warm Regional Society of Animal Science, Japan 68（2）: 69-74, 2025