COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE OF PIGS FED WITH CASSAVA BASED DIETS AND COMMERCIAL FEEDS

Abstract

This study was conducted to explore the possibility of replacing maize component in pig feed with cassava chips. Sixteen sows were allotted into two groups – experiment and control group equally. The animals in the experimental and control group were fed diet containing 50 % cassava chips and usual commercial sow ration, respectively, for a duration of one production cycle from April to November 2022. Animals in both groups were raised under similar management practices. Parameters such as body condition score and back fat thickness, and breeding parameters namely conception rate, dry period, litter size, average birth weight, average weaning size, average weaning weights, post-weaning weights of piglets were compared between two groups. Independent Sample t test, Pearson correlation and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the variables.  The findings revealed no significant differences in non-reproductive and reproductive parameters except for the post weaning weight gain (p < 0.001) of the piglets. The piglets born from the experimental group attained higher post weaning weights than the control group. The study recorded average dry period and conception rate of about 5 days and 11.63 days; and 50 % and 75 % for the experiment and control groups, respectively. The average post-weaning weights of piglets recorded was 9.24 and 6.94 kg for the experiment and the control group, respectively. The study concludes and suggests that the cassava chips can be used as an alternative basal ingredient and can replace 50% of maize in pig diet thereby reducing the cost of feed. Further in-depth study may be required with breeding animals and the fattening pigs including cost- benefit analysis in order to provide strategic recommendations for pig producers in the country.