Evaluation of poultry whole carcass meal as an animal protein source in fattening crossbred pig rations

A feeding trial was carried out to evaluate poultry whole carcass meal as an alternate of dry fish in pig diets. A total of 18 weaned 75% Large White Yorkshire (LWY) crossbred pigs were selected randomly and divided in to three groups namely T₁ (Control-pigs fed with balanced swine grower cum fattener ration containing dry fish as animal protein source), T₂ (pigs fed with balanced swine grower cum fattener ration containing 5% poultry whole carcass meal) and T₃ (pigs fed with balanced swine grower cum fattener ration containing 10% poultry whole carcass meal). All the pigs were fed with iso-caloric iso-nitrogenous grower ration throughout the experimental period (from 3 to 9 months of age). Numerically higher 270 day body weight and weight gain (kg) were recorded in T₃ group as compared to T₁ and T₂ groups. Economic parameters like average daily gain, feed intake and feed efficiency did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between treatment groups. About 16.89% and 7.57% reduction was observed in feed cost per kg live weight gain in T₂ and T₄ groups respectively, as compared to control. From this study, it was concluded that, poultry whole carcass meal can be incorporated at 10% level in fattening crossbred pig rations