Interactive effect of dietary fermented oat and density of diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and ileal microorganisms in weaning pigs

Abstract Text: We conducted this experiment to evaluate the effects of fermented oat (FO) on performance of weanling pigs fed with different nutrient density diets. A total of 160 crossbred weanling pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc), 28-day-old] with an initial BW of 8.01 ± 0.74 kg were used in this 42-d trial (phase 1: d 1 to 14, phase 2: d 15 to 42). Pigs were distributed into 4 dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with two levels of nutrient density (high or low nutrient density) and FO [0% or 5% (phase 1), 2.5% (phase 2)] according to their BW and sex [8 pens/treatment and 5 pigs (3 gilts and 2 barrows)/pen]. During the experimental period, individual body weight and feed consumption per pen were measured on d 1, 14, and 42 to monitor ADG, ADFI and G/F ratio. Fecal samples collected from 2 pigs (BW approximate the pen average) per pen by rectal massage (d 14 and 42) to analyze the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) by using chromic oxide (0.2 %). The same two pigs were sacrificed to collect ileal ingest. E. coli and Lactobacillus content of ileal ingest were then analyzed. During the overall trial period (d 1-42), ADG of pigs fed FO diet was higher (P < 0.05) than pigs fed non-FO diet. During phase 1 (d 1 to 14), ATTD of dry matter and nitrogen in high-nutrient-density diet groups were significantly greater (P < 0.05) than low-nutrient-density diet groups. During phase 2 (d 15 to 42), FOt and high-nutrient-density diets interactively improved digestibility of energy and dry matter. ATTD of energy in FO groups was significant greater (P < 0.05) than non-FO groups during the whole experimental period. Pigs fed with FO had higher (P < 0.05) ileal Lactobacillus and lower (P < 0.05) E. colicounts compared with those fed with non-FO. In conclusion, high-nutrient-density diet mixed with FO could improve growth performance, nutrient digestibility and ileal microorganisms balance in wealning pigs.

Keywords: fermented oat, nutrient density, weanling pigs