Effect of replacing bajra with tamarind seed kernel on the performance of pigs

The study was taken up to see the effect of replacing conventional cereal grain by tamarind seed kernel (TSK) on the performance of pigs. 36 barrows (12 each of indigenous, 50 and 75% (Large White Yorkshire x Indigenous) were offered either conventional control diet supplemented with lysine and methionine (D₁), bajra replaced with TSK, supplemented with Lysine and Methionine (D₂) or with fish meal but without lysine and methionine (D₃). The animals were fed grower (18% CP) diet up to 35 kg live weight and were shifted to corresponding finisher (14% CP) diet up to a slaughter weight of 60 kg. The finisher diets were similar to grower diets except for the incorporation of tapioca waste in D₂ and D₃. The digestibility of nutrients was comparable among the three groups except that of OM and CP which was depressed (P<0.01) in D₂ and D₃. The N-retention was depressed (P<0.01) in D₂ and D₃ resulting in low (P<0.01) gain in weight and poor feed conversion ratio. It was concluded that replacement of bajra with tamarind seed kernel in grower diets or along with tapioca waste in finisher diets resulted in poor pig performance.