This experiment was performed to evaluate the optimum level of net energy (NE) to improve growth performance and nutrient digestibility, and reduce noxious gas emissions in growing–finishing pigs. A total of 150 pigs (Yorkshire × Landrace × Duroc) with an initial average body weight (BW) of 32.64 ± 1.49 kg were randomly assigned to one of five treatments for 112 days (16 weeks: growing stage, initial–week 6; finishing stage, 6-finish/week 16). There were five treatment groups with six replicates and five pigs (three males and two females) per pen. The dietary treatment includes CON, a basal diet (NE 2475 kcal/kg), TRT1, basal diet −5.0% NE (2353 kcal/kg), TRT2, basal diet −2.5% NE (2414 kcal/kg), TRT3, basal diet +2.5% NE (2537 kcal/kg), and TRT4, basal diet +5.0% NE (2599 kcal/kg). Through the experiment, increasing NE by +5.0% increased average daily gain and bodyweight, having the highest value (p < 0.05) and a decreased feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05), whereas decreasing NE by −5% decreased average daily gain (p < 0.05) and increased feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05) at week 6 with no effects on nutrient digestibility and noxious gas emission. Hence, integrating the increasing level of net energy (NE) with +5.0% into the pig diet during the growing–finishing phase can be considered the appropriate approach for enhancing both average daily gain and feed efficiency in pigs. A +5% (2599 kcal/kg) increase in NE has the potential to reduce costs by lowering the amount of feed needed while either sustaining or improving growth, as the use of energy-dense ingredients becomes more cost effective.
Kolawole et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
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