GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMICS OF PRODUCTION OF WEANER PIGS FED GRADED LEVELS OF PLANTAIN PEEL MEAL SUPPLEMENTED WITH CORN PAP CHAFF

Abstract

This research was carried out to investigate the effect of graded levels of plantain peel meal supplemented with corn pap chaff on the growth performance and economics of production of weaner pigs. Plantain (Musa paradisiaca) is a fruit crop which produces about 30-40% peels in the form of agricultural by-products (wastes). These peels (ripe and unripe) have been harnessed as animal feed or feed ingredients.Twenty-four (24) weaner pigs of either sex of the large white hybrids were procured froma reputable farmin Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The weaner pigs which weighed 4-5kg initial body live weight were distributed into four (4) treatments of six (6) pigs per treatment and replicated three times with two (2) weaner pigs per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). The plantain peel meal was served at 45kg, 30kg, 15kg and 0kg in T1(Control), T2, T3 and T4 respectively.Corn pap chaff was served to supplement
the pig’s ration.Proper farm management practices and routine medications and vaccinations were strictly observed. Cool water and feed were supplied ad libitum. The experiment lasted for eighty-four (84) days. All data was subjected to a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Under growth performance indices, the parameters measured were the initial weight, final weightand feed intake. The weight gain, feed conversion ratio and mortality were calculated. Results on performance indicate that T2 and T3 were significantly (P<0.05) better in final live weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio; while feed intake increased linearly from T3-T4. The economics of production shows that the cost of production for all the treatment groups were similar; as there were no significant (P>0.05) differences in the total cost of production. It was therefore concluded that weaner pigs can be fed between 15% and 30% graded levels of plantain peel meal (PPM) supplemented with corn chaff without causing any deleterious effects on the performance and economics of production.