Effects of Different Feeds on Body Weight Gain and Profitability of Pig Production in Subtropical Bhutan

Abstract

A feeding trial was conducted with the objectives to evaluate the body weight gain of improved pigs fed with three different feeds and determine the cost of production for each feed. The feeds were commercial feed, thin stillage of the Army Welfare Project and locally formulated feed. Twenty-four weaners, each weighing 8.21 kg with an average age of 40.17 days were used for the study. The weaners were divided into three groups [group A, B and C]. Each group was allotted eight weaners with uniform breed and sex ratio. Pigs in group A, B and C were fed with commercial feed, formulated feed and thin stillage, respectively. Pigs were weighed individually using digital weighing scale and a crate once every Monday for 30 times in seven months study period. The amount of feed fed to each group and the leftover feed were recorded daily during the entire study period. The Average Daily Gain [ADG] of pigs in group A, B and C were 0.518 kg, 0.118 kg and 0.299 kg, respectively. The average final weight of group A, B and C were 117.27 kg, 32.45 kg and 70.86 kg, respectively. Differences in both ADG and final weight gain between group A, B and C were highly significant. The costs incurred to produce a kilogram of pork were Nu. 180.93, Nu. 324.97 and Nu. 169.63 for group A, B and C, respectively. The cost of producing one-kilogram pork was cheaper by Nu.11.30 for group C than A. The study concluded that the high body weight gain in pigs does not necessarily lead to high income.