Growth performance, nutrient digestibility and haematological indices of weaner pigs fed diets containing graded levels of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var.) waste leaf meal

Abstract

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate growth performance, nutrient digestibility and haematological indices of weaner pigs fed diets containing graded levels of cabbage (Brassica oleracea Var.) waste leaf meal (CWLM). A total of 45 Large white X Landrace breed of weanling pigs between 5-6 weeks old were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments containing CWLM. Each treatment consisted of nine (9) pigs and replicated thrice in a completely randomized design. Diet 1 contained 0% CWLM while diets 2, 3, 4 and 5 contained 5, 10, 15 and 20% levels of inclusion of CWLM, respectively. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The results revealed that final weight (24.36 – 24.95kg) and daily weight gain (291.84 – 301.74g/d) were not significantly affected by dietary treatments but except daily feed intake (715.76 – 780.03 g/d) increased (P<0.05) significantly as the levels of CWLM increases. Feed conversion ratios (2.39 – 2.65) were similar (P>0.05) among the treatments. Ether extract digestibility values (50.54 -52.87%) were better (P<0.05) among pigs fed T1, T2, and T3 diets compared to those fed T4 and T5 diets. The feed cost/kg gain were not significantly affected (N 508.22 – 564.22) by treatments but numerically different when compared with control (N 564.22). The haematology results indicated that white blood cell with values on (12.11 -14.62(x109/l)) and lymphocytes values of (62.93-70.30%) were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the dietary inclusion of CWLM while other blood indices were not significantly affected. In conclusion, pigs between 8-16 weeks of age could tolerate up to 20 % CWLM in their diets without adverse effect on growth performance, nutrient utilization and haematological indices.