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Livestock-Based Farming Systems, Renewable Resources and the Environment |
Twenty-four sows were allocated to 4 dietary treatments (levels of catfish by-product oil [CBO] of 0, 3, 6 and 9%) in a randomized block design. The experiment began when the sows were withion one week of farrowing, nad lasted until one week after weaning which was at 28 days. Performance of sows and piglets was monitored. Milk production was measured by weighing piglets before and after suckling.
Increasing the level of catfish by-product oil up to 9 % in the sow diets: decreased sow feed intake but increased lipid and ME intake; reduced the lactation weight loss and the interval from weaning to first estrus; increased fat content of the sow's milk and tended to increase yield; and increased piglet weight gain to weaning and piglet survival (for the 9% catfish oil treatment. It was concluded that addition of 9% catfish oil to the sow diet improved the performance of sows and progeny by increasing the ouput of fat, especialy unsaturated fatty acids, into the sow’s milk.