During fall-winter 1968, a trial was conducted at La Platina Experiment Station in arder to compare the perfomance of growing-finishing pigs (30-105 Kg.) fed free choice rations as campared to the traditional ground and balanced diets. Thirty two male and female comercial crossbreds were used. Treatments were as follows: I) Ground balanced ration, composed of corn,fish meal, minerals, vitamins and antibiotics. II) Same camponents as ration I) but ground corn offered separately from rest of ration. III) Same as II) but corn grain was not ground. IV) Same as II) but fish meal was replaced by cooked peas (Pisum sativum arvense) as protein supplement; peas were fed separately from remaining of ration.
Pigs fed free choice rations (II, III, and IV) had a significantly smaller (P < 0.01) average daily gain than those fed the ground and balanced ration (I) (0,674 - 0,67? 0,702 vs 0,807 Kg, respectively). Feed conversion efficiency was better (P < 0.05) in the ratian with non ground free choice corn grain (III) and in the ground balanced ration (I). Males had a significantIy greater (P < 0.01) average daily gain than females. No sex-treatment interaction was detected. Treatments did not affect carcass characteristics. The best price relationship for input-output was found when the corn was provided not ground and free choice (III). |
ChileanJAR
