Performance of Crossbred (Hampshire × Ghunghroo) Pigs Fed on Rice Polish Based Diets with or without Phytase

The growth performance and nutrient digestibility on rice polish based feeding regime with and without phytase was studied in crossbred (Hampshire × Ghunghroo) pigs. The trial was conducted in two phases. In phase-I (Grower stage), four iso-nitrogenous (CP18%) diets were prepared by incorporating rice polish at 25 and 50% supplemented with phytase @ 20 and 40g/100 kg feed, respectively. The same animals were used in second phase for finisher trial. In phase II, animals were fed on four iso-nitrogenous (CP16%) diets prepared by incorporation of rice polish at 50 and 70% supplemented with phytase @ 20 and 40g/100kg feed, respectively. Growth was significantly higher (P<0.05) in pigs of grower phase which was fed on rice polish at 50% level having phytase enzyme (40g/100kg feed) with better feed conversion ratio (FCR) and lowest (P<0.01) feeding cost of Rs 49.33±1.48 per kg gain in comparison to other three groups. Digestibility of DM, CP, P and energy values increased significantly (P<0.05) by increasing rice polish from 25 to 50% in diet. However, the levels of inclusion of rice polish with different doses of phytase supplementation in finisher pigs during phase-II did not exhibit any significant effect on ADG, FCR and feeding cost in finisher pigs. The highest average daily gain (ADG) with better FCR and lower (P<0.05) feeding cost per kg gain was recorded in pigs fed on rice polish at 50% level with 20g phytase/100 kg. Digestibility of protein decreased (P<0.05) significantly with increasing rice polish from 50 to 70% in diet irrespective of phytase level. On the other hand, digestible energy values increased (P<0.05) significantly by increasing the rice polish from 50 to 70% in diet. Hence, at maximum of 40g phytase (two lac unit/100kg feed) and 20g phytase (one lac unit/100kg feed) was sufficient for better growth performance of crossbred grower and finisher pigs, respectively fed diets containing 50% rice polish.