PS2-19. Addition of Fiber Sources in Diets for Weaning Piglets Improved Growth Performance

Inclusion of a processed fiber ingredient (PFI), based on coproducts from the soy industry, can positively modulate intestinal microbiota of piglets, promote gut health and improve growth performance. The objective of this study was then to evaluate increasing levels of PFI in piglets diets from weaning (24 days of age) to 66 days of age, on average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and fecal scores, weekly and in the total period. A total of 216 piglets (6.71 ± 0.74 kg) were fed: a) a complex low fiber diet as control (CON) based on corn, soybean meal, spray dried blood plasma and milk whey powder; b) a diet containing 4.0% wheat middlings (WM) as a source of fiber; and diets with the inclusion of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0% of PFI in replacement of corn (PFI_2.5, PFI_5.0, PFI_7.5 and PFI_10.0, respectively). Diets were formulated in a 3-phase feeding program, providing from 2.50 to 2.44 Mcal NE/kg, 1.40 to 1.25% SID Lys. The PFI was a thermically processed feedstuff, composed of corn, soyhulls and soybean oil coproduct (4,4 Mcal/kg GE, 45% NDF and 8.9% CP). A randomized block design was used, with 6 diets, 12 repetitions, and 3 animals per experimental unit. Data were subjected to ANOVA and means were compared by t-test (P < 0.05), using the Mixed procedure of SAS. Data from weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 were analyzed using the initial weight of the animals at the beginning of each week as a covariate. In the first week, piglets fed PFI_2.5 and PFI_5.0 diets showed a tendency (P = 0.05) for higher ADG and a 3% greater (P < 0.05) final body weight than those on CON, PFI_7.5, and PFI_10.0 diets. In week 2, piglets fed PFI_7.5 had better (P < 0.05) FCR than piglets fed PFI_5.0 and WM. In week 4, piglets receiving WM diet showed better (P < 0.05) FCR compared to those on the CON and PFI_10 diets, with no differences from the others. In week 5, piglets on WM had higher ADFI (P < 0.05) compared to those on PFI_2.5, PFI_5.0, and PFI_7.5. In the total period, there was a trend (P = 0.06) for better FCR of pigs submitted to diets containing PFI in 2.5, 7.5 and 10% compared to pigs fed CON diet. No effects of the diets were observed on fecal scores. The dietary inclusion of WM and PFI in 2.5 and 5.0%, improved piglet growth performance of piglets in week 1. The addition of the PFI had a positive effect on the FCR of pigs from 24 to 66 days of age.