Department of Animal Nutrition, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, (WB) 741 252, India
Online published on 21 January, 2012.
In an effort to replace conventional cakes in the concentrate mixture of pig ration, with different levels of Karanja (Pongamia glabra vent) cake, two experiments were conducted. In experiment I, Groundnut cake and Til cake of conventional concentrate mixture (group A) was equally replaced by Karanj cake at 50, 75 and 100% levels in groups B, C and D respectively and daily feed consumption and palatability was determined in 20 white Yorkshire piglets divided into 4 groups. In experiment II, growth studies were conducted on 40 piglets divided into 4 equal groups, on feeding concentrate mixture in which the conventional groundnut cake (Gp A) was replaced by Karanja cake at 25, 50 and 75% levels in different groups (Gps B, C and D) repectively on isonitrogenous basis. Feed intake declined progressively with the level of replacement and in consequence adversely affected body weight gain. The decline in feed intake is considered to be due to repugnant smell associated with bitter principle(s) in the oil fraction of Karanja cake. It is suggested that Karanja cake cannot be used to replace conventional cakes in piglet ration.
