Utilization of spent brewer’s yeast as a protein substitute for fish meal in diets of growing pigs

Abstract

Abstract and figures
Sixty four pigs (Landrace × Large White Yorkshire) with an initial weight of 9.3±0.2kg, aged 1.5 month were used to evaluate the performance and carcass characteristics. They were fed diets of dried spent brewer’s yeast (SBY) replacing fish meal (Rastrinoabola argentia) at levels of 0, 6, 8, and 10 percent. The control diet contained pure maize bran and 0% SBY (ratio 1:0). Treatment diets 6, 8 and 10 % SBY were made by mixing maize bran and SBY slurry in ratios 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2 (w/v) respectively. Pigs were in groups of four, balanced for sex and weight and allotted to 4 treatments in a completely randomized design. The experiment lasted for 4 months and data on ADFI and ADG was collected. A digestion trial was also conducted using 4 pigs per treatment (n=16). Carcass characteristics was determined from randomly selected 8 pigs per treatments (n= 32). Replacement of SBY exceeding 6% in diet resulted in poor feed efficiency and reduced ADFI and ADG, hot carcass weight, ham weight, 6 th rib weight and intra-muscular fat (P<0.05). The liver and spleen weights increased (P<0.05) at SBY levels beyond 6% in diet. Drying improves mixing and use of SBY in feeds for pigs.