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ABSTRACT
The rising costs of conventional feed ingredients has prompted research into the use of alternative, unconventional feedstuffs (Musarpoms) in pig diets. This study was undertaken to develop a feed grade code name Musarpoms at 25% using ripe plantain peels and Palm Oil Mill Slurry (POMS) as the major ingredients. In addition, the study also evaluated the effects of replacement of maize with unconventional feed ingredients (Musarpoms) on carcass traits in finishing pigs. Five Experimental Diets were formulated to incorporate Musarpoms grade(25%) as a replacement for maize at 0%, 30%, 40%, 50% and 60%. A total of 20 weaner pigs were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments with four pigs per treatment in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) at the piggery unit of the University of Benin Teaching and Research Farm, Ugbowo Campus, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Pigs with an initial weight of 10.00- 12.00kg were fed these diets ad libitum and watered for eight (8 ) weeks; with an adaptation period of two (2) weeks where the pigs were fed the control diet. At the end of the feeding trials, two pigs from each treatment were randomly selected and slaughtered to determine the carcass characteristics. The pigs were fasted overnight before slaughter. The results of the carcass characteristics of pigs showed significant difference( P<0.05) in the live weight, wholesale cuts and organ weight but the spleen had no significant difference (P>0.05). Pigs fed 40% and 60% replacement level recorded the highest live weight. Thus, an increase in inclusion rate of the unconventional feed ( Musarpoms) of pig resulted in the production of lean carcasses. Consequently it could be concluded that under the conditions of this study, incorporating Musarpoms grade in weaner pig diets had no adverse effect on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, organ weights, and wholesale cut yields of the weaner’s pigs.
