This study assessed the effects of including 5% oven-dried apple pomace (ODAP) in the diets of grower pigs on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and stress biomarker. Sixteen Camborough mixed-sex grower pigs, initially weighing 25–35 kg, were randomly allocated to either a control (CON) or 5% apple pomace (ODAP) diets with 8 animals each (n = 8) for 21 days. Data were analyzed using the t-test procedure in SAS 9.4, followed by a post hoc test, and significance was declared at P<0.05. Growth performance parameters showed no difference among treatments including average daily weight gain or feed intake. The overall gain-to-feed ratio was significantly improved with ODAP (P<0.01). The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter, gross energy, and crude protein, showed no significant differences between the two diets; however, ODAP significantly increased (P<0.05) the ATTD of neutral detergent fiber and digestible energy. Salivary cortisol was not affected by dietary treatments. These findings indicate that a 5% inclusion of ODAP improved the feed efficiency and nutrient digestibility in growing pigs.
Sanubi et al. (Mon,) studied this question.