Feeding of spinach and finger millet in growing piglets to control piglet anaemia

The experiment was conducted in 120 piglets (T&D crossbred) in Garhwa district. The treatments included T1-farmer's practices to control piglets anaemia, T2-feeding of 100 g spinach leaves (Spinacia oleracea L.) daily for 3 m and T3-finger millet flour (Eleusine coracana L.) 100g daily for 3 m. Each treatment was given to 2 pigs each of 20 farmers and the data were recorded on mortality rate (%), morbidity rate (%), body weight gain (kg) and Hb level (g/100 ml of blood) of treated animals after four months. The results revealed that minimum mortality (2.5%) and morbidity rate (4%), maximum body weight gain (15.5kg) and Hemoglobin level 11g/100ml of blood were recorded in individuals treated with finger millet (T3) which were significantly higher than those treated with spinach leaves (10.5%, 22% and 11.8 kg and 9g/100ml of blood, respectively). The poor management for piglet anemia practiced by farmers exhibited highest mortality (38%), morbidity (46%), lowest gain in body weight (9kg) and Hb level 6g/100ml of blood. As such, feeding of finger millet 100 g daily was found quite beneficial followed by feeding of spinach leaves 100 g daily.