Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Carcass Traits of Weaned Pigs as Affected by Dietary Guinea Hen Weed (Petiveria alliacea) Leaf Meal Supplementation

Abstract

The need for the production of meat without residues of chemical arising from antibiotic use which impact human health negatively necessitates the search for alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters. A ten-week study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Guinea hen weed (Petiveria alliacea) leaf meal (PALM) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and carcass characteristics of weaned pigs. Thirty-six weaned pigs (Large White * Landrace), aged ten weeks with an initial weight of 8 + 0.1 kg, were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments. The control group (T1) received a standard maize-soybean-based diet, while groups T2, T3, and T4 were supplemented with PALM at 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1.00% respectively. Performance data were collected weekly. Apparent nutrient digestibility was assessed in week eight, and carcass traits were measured at week ten. Pigs fed 0.50% PALM supplemented diet (T2) showed significantly (P<0.05) higher final weight (FW), greater weight gain, and better feed conversion ratio. Feed intake was higher (P<0.05) in pigs fed 0.75% and 1.00% PALM (T3 and T4). Dry matter digestibility (DMD) was significantly improved in T3 and T4, while crude protein digestibility (CPD) was higher in T4 than those in T1 and T2 but similar to those in T3. Live and slaughter weights were higher in T2 pigs than other treatments. Fore and hind trotters were heavier in T1 and T3, while kidney weight was reduced (P<0.05) in pigs fed 0.75% and 1.00% PALM supplemented diets. In conclusion, PALM supplementation at 0.50% enhanced growth performance, while 0.75% and 1.00% levels improved DMD and CPD without any adverse effect on pig's organ development.