Abstract

CARVALHO, L.E. et al. Levels of copra meal in piglet diets at nursery phase. Arch. zootec. [online]. 2014, vol.63, n.242, pp.295-303. ISSN 1885-4494.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S0004-05922014000200008.

A total of 32 male castrated boars and gilts of a commercial pig line aged 21 days and 6.20±0.92 kg of live weight were used to evaluate the performance and economical evaluation of copra meal inclusion in diets for piglets at nursery. Animals were allotted in a completely randomized block design with four treatments (0, 7, 14 and 21 % of copra meal), eight replicates per treatment and one animal as experimental unit. From 21 to 42 days of age, levels up to 7 % reduced daily weight gain of piglets (p<0.05). A quadratic trend on feed:gain ratio was observed from 42 to 63 days and total period (p<0.05), with better results at estimated level of 14.33 and 13.99 %, respectively. No effect of copra meal inclusion on economical variables was observed from 21 to 42 days of age. From 43 to 63 days and total period (21 to 63 days) a quadratic effect on economical indexes was observed with the inclusion of different levels of copra meal, with better results around 15 %. The inclusion of copra meal until the level of 7 % is recommended in piglet diets from 21 to 42 days of age. From 43 to 63 days, the estimated level of 15 % results in better performance and economical indexes. It is recommended to include up to 7 % of coconut meal in diets for pigs from 21 to 42 days old. From 43 to 63 days of age, the estimated level of 15 % resulted in better performance.

Keywords : Alternative feedstuff; Economical analysis; Pigs; Zootechnical performance.

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