Effect of different levels of rice bran on the performance of crossbred pigs

Fifty-four crossbred gilts of average body weight (26.11±0.08 kg) were randomly divided into 18 groups of three animals each. Six replicated groups were assigned to one of three dietary treatments containing 0 (R₁), 41 (R₂) and 82% (R₃) rice bran (RB), to replace 0, 50 or 100% of maize and wheat bran respectively. At the end of feeding trial of 112 days, a digestibility trial was conducted to assess digestibility of nutrients and nutritional plane. Dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain, and feed: gain were significantly reduced (P<0.01) in R₃ fed pigs. Digestibility of all the nutrients, except that of ether extract (EE), was reduced (P<0.01) in R₂ or R₃ fed pigs. The result suggested that RB could be incorporated up to 41% in the diets of growing crossbred pigs without adversely affecting performances.