Abstract
A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding fermented milk on the growth performance of weaning piglets. Twelve piglets (LWD 6, LW 6) weaned at 28 d of age were used in this study ; six piglets were fed a diet with fermented milk (FM group) while the rests were fed a diet with acidified milk (AM group). The diet offered to the FM group consisted of the commercial mash diet and fermented milk in the ratio of 1 : 5 (wt : wt). The diet offered to the AM group was similar, but fermented milk was replaced with acidified milk. The feeding experiment continued for 3 weeks. Although the dry matter intake of the FM group was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of the AM group, the average daily gain of the two groups was similar. Consequently, the feed efficiency of the FM group was tended to be lower (P<0.10) than that of the AM group. Analyzed contents of amino acids and gross energy were not different between the fermented milk and the acidified milk. In conclusion, feeding fermented milk enhances feed intake in weaning piglets, whereas it does not affect body weight gain.
