Effects of Fish Meal from Various Origins on Growth Performance and Nutrient Digestibility in Piglets

A total 100 wearied pigs [(Landrace x Yorkshire) x Duroc; 8.33 kg average initial BW] were used to evaluate the effects of fish meal from different origins on growth performance and nutrient digestibility. The dietary treatments were TLF (8 and 5% Triple Nine (R) low temperature fish meal in Phase 1 and 2, respectively), TF (8 and 5% Triple Nine (R) fish meal), ELF (8 and 5% FF Skagen (R) low temperature fish meal) and EF (8 and 5% El Golfo (R) fishmeal). In Phase 1 and 2, experimental diets were fed for 10 and 14 days, respectively. In Phase 3, the same diet without fish meal was fed to evaluate after-effect of fish meal on growth performance after Phase 2. There were 5 replications with 5 pigs per pen. From days 0-10, pigs fed TF and EF diets had greater (p<0.05) ADO compared to pigs fed the TLF and FLF diets. Pigs fed the TF diet had improved (p<0.05) gain/feed ratio compared to pigs fed the FLF diet, From days 10-24, pigs fed the TLF diet had higher (p<0.05) ADO compared to pigs fed the ELF diet. Gain:feed ratio of the FLF group was significantly lower (p<0.05) than the other groups. From days 24-36, pigs fed the EF diet had greater (p<0.05) ADO compared to pigs fed TLF and TF diets. Pigs fed ELF and EF diets had improved (p<0.05) G:F ratio than pigs fed the TLF and TF diets. Overall (days 0-36), pigs fed EF diet had greater (p<0.05) ADG compared to pigs fed the TLF and TF diets. Pigs fed EF diet had higher (p<0.05) compared to pigs fed the TLF and FLF diets. With regard to nutrient digestibility, pigs fed TF diet had greater (p<0.05) Dry Material (DM), Nitrogen (N), Crude ash, Ca compared to pigs fed the other diets. Pigs fed TLF and EF diets had improved (p<0.05) P than pigs fed the FLF diet. Gross Energy (GE) of the ELF group was significantly lower (p<0.05) than the other groups. In conclusion, feeding nursery pigs diets containing EE can improve growth performance compared to those fed diets containing the other fish meals.