Average daily gain of local pigs on rural and peri-urban smallholder farms in two districts of Western Kenya

The objective of this study was to determine the average daily gain (ADG) of pigs on rural and peri-urban smallholder farms in two districts of Western Kenya, in order to establish a baseline to measure the impact of future management interventions. Average daily gain (kilograms per day) for 664 pigs weighed one, two or three times and the proportion of local and crossbreed pigs was determined. Assuming a uniform birth weight of 1 kg, ADG did not differ between pigs weighed once or twice. Overall, ADG was higher in peri-urban pigs (0.15?±?0.058 kg/day) than rural pigs (0.11?±?0.047 kg/day). Pigs at 1 to 2 months had a higher ADG than those at 3 months or 10 to 12 months and ADG was higher in crossbreed than local pigs. Over the two districts, the ADG was low (0.13?±?0.002 kg/day). Most (87.2 %) pigs were of local breed. Low ADG may be due to malnourishment, high maintenance energy expenditure, high parasite prevalence, disease, and/or low genetic potential. This low ADG of pigs raised on smallholder farms in Western Kenya indicates a high potential for improvement. The growth rate of pigs in Western Kenya must be improved using locally available feedstuffs to make efficient use of resources, promote sustainable smallholder pig production, and improve the livelihood of smallholder farmers.     

Feeding regime and management of local Lao pigs in Central Lao PDR

A survey was carried out in smallholder farming systems in the districts of Borrikun, Khamkeuth, and Pakkading, in central Lao People's Democratic Republic, to assess the feeding regime and health status of local Lao pigs. In total, 216 farmers, 72 in each district, were interviewed using a questionnaire. Feed samples were collected for nutrient analysis and pen soil samples for mineral content determination. Farmers kept sows of native breeds such as Moo Lath, Moo Chid, and Moo Hmong. The number of sows per household was low (1.1?±?0.1, 1.1?±?0.1, and 1.2?±?0.1 in Borrikun, Khamkeuth, and Pakkading, respectively) and pigs were mainly fed with rice bran and fresh cassava roots. Daily protein and mineral (Calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium) allowances were lower than requirements. In all districts, the number of piglets at birth was around seven and pre-weaning piglet mortality was around 20 %. The most common causes of piglet death, before weaning, were diarrhea, runts, and squashed piglets. Most piglets were weaned after 4 months of age, but in the Borrikun and Pakkading districts, 11–16 % of households were weaned at <4 months. In all districts, pig management was mainly women's responsibility (around 90 %) and most farmers spent less than 1 h per day on pig management. A feasible and cheap way to increase nutrient supply to local pigs in central Lao People's Democratic Republic would be to include more fresh plant material (e.g., thick head, taro) and salt in the diet. Information and education on improving pig management should be targeted towards women.     

Detection of estrogenically active substances in diets for sows by an in vitro bioassay supported by HPLC analysis

There is considerable evidence that exogenous estrogenic compounds can have adverse effects on fertility. The main reason cited in literature for hyperestrogenism in pigs is contamination of feedstuffs by the mycotoxin zearalenone (Boehm, 2000), but further estrogenically active substances might also be involved in cases of impaired fertility with symptoms like enlarged, red-coloured vulvae in piglets, irregular estrus cycles and anestrus of sows (Bennetts et al., 1946; Drane et al., 1981). It is well known that soy used in diets for pigs as a main protein source contains phytoestrogens. Amongst them, isoflavones like genistein and daidzein are of particular interest. Aim of this study was to optimize and use an established bioassay (Kluczka, 2003) to determine estrogenic activity in feedstuffs for pigs related to isoflavones and further substances with estrogenic potential. This bioassay is a reporter gene assay based on stably transfected human embryonal kidney cells (HEK 293) that contains either alpha or beta estrogen receptor (alpha- or beta-HEK). The estrogenic activity measured in the luciferase assay was expressed in estradiol-equivalents (EEQ) and the results were compared with the isoflavone content (genistein, daidzein) obtained by chemical analysis using high performance liquid chromatography-Ultraviolet (HPLC-UV). Mean estrogenic activity in diets fed to sows in herds with altered fertility was 275.8 microg EEQ/kg feed in alpha-HEK cells and 295.0 microg EEQ/kg feed in beta-HEK cells. Feedstuffs from herds without any altered fertility showed an average estrogenic activity of 204.9 microg EEQ/kg feed in alpha-HEK and 213.3 microg EEQ/kg feed in beta-HEK. The estrogenic activity was strongly related to the concentration of the isoflavones (alpha-HEK, r(2)=0.9488; beta-HEK, r(2)=0.9427). Clinically relevant zearalenone concentrations (>50-150 microg/kg feed) displayed estrogenic effects in the bioassay that did not differ significantly from those caused by high isoflavone concentration because of the use of soy as protein source.     

二次制粒颗粒饲料对仔猪培育的影响

选用360头21日龄断奶仔猪,按制粒工艺、原料预处理不同设计2因素2水平试验,研究二次制粒颗粒饲料对断奶仔猪培育阶段生长性能的影响。结果:试验全期,采用二次制粒工艺及膨化玉米、膨化豆粕原料的处理组4,仔猪体重、平均日增重、饲料转化效率显著优于(P<0.05)其他3组。处理组4仔猪42日龄的血清尿素氮和皮质醇浓度显著低于其他3个处理组。试验表明,在选择膨化玉米与膨化豆粕优质饲料原料的基础上,采用二次制粒工艺,尤其先将鱼粉与膨化玉米、膨化豆粕进行第一次高温制粒,对降低应激、改善仔猪培育阶段的生长性能有良好的效果。     

A field study on feed supplementation, body weight and selected blood parameters in local pigs in Laos

The aim of the present study was to investigate feed allowances, body weight (BW), haematocrit, haemoglobin, plasma ionised calcium (iCa), sodium, potassium, pH and glucose concentration and faecal K/Na ratio in local growing pigs, sows and piglets kept by small-holder farmers in Laos. Starting hypotheses were that (1) local pigs are under fed, (2) BW is higher in pigs receiving supplementary feed and (3) the blood profile of pigs subjected to very poor nutrition is outside the normal range. On 54 pig-keeping smallholdings in Borikhamxay province, Lao PDR, daily feed allowances were weighed and BW recorded for 27 lactating sows, 54 piglets and 27 growing pigs. Blood samples were collected from the vena jugularis in all pigs. Feed supplementation did not affect BW, but plasma iCa concentration was outside the normal range for all pigs. There was a tendency for lower faecal K/Na ratio in Na-supplemented sows. The results confirm that local pigs in small-scale production systems in Laos suffer from poor nutrition. The most important challenge for farmers appears to be provision of more feed, particularly feed with a high Ca content.     

Health and production measures for smallholder pig production in Kikuyu Division, central Kenya

A longitudinal study was carried out in Kikuyu Division (a peri-urban area in central Kenyan highlands) between January 1999 and December 1999 to estimate the baseline parameters on reproductive performance of the sow, as well as health and productivity of grower and preweaning pigs of smallholder herds. Data were collected on 155 breeding pigs, 795 grower pigs and 801 preweaning piglets in 74, 50 and 40 smallholder herds, respectively, using record cards that were updated during monthly visits.

The sow-level medians were: weaning-to-service interval 3 months; interfarrowing interval 6.4 months; number of live-born piglets 9.0; and number of piglets weaned per litter 7.5. The piglet crude morbidity incidence risk was 29%. The cause-specific incidence risks for the important health problems encountered in preweaned piglets were diarrhea (4.3%), pruritus (17.1%), and skin necrosis (4.2%). The estimated crude mortality incidence risk to 8 weeks of age was 18.7%. The cause-specific mortality incidence risks to 8 weeks of age for the important causes of mortality were overlying (9.9%), savaging (2.4%), unviable piglets (2.0%) and unknown (1.9%). Overall, 78.8% of the total live-born piglet mortality occurred during the first week postpartum with 69% of these deaths being caused by overlying. The grower-pig crude morbidity incidence risk was 20% and the cause-specific incidence risks of the important health problems encountered were gut edema (1.3%), pruritus (21.1%), and unknown (2.3%). The crude mortality incidence risk was 3.8% and the important causes were gut edema and unknown causes (cause-specific mortality incidence risks of 1.3 and 1.6%, respectively). The median weight:age ratio and average daily weight gain for the grower pigs were 5.1 kg/month of age and 0.13 kg/day, respectively. For preweaning pigs, the median average daily weight gain was 0.13 g/day.     

不同粉碎粒度的豆粕对断奶仔猪生长性能和养分消化率的影响

本试验研究不同粉碎粒度的豆粕对断奶仔猪生长性能和养分消化率的影响,选用26～28日龄断奶(7.9±0.7)kg杜×长×大健康仔猪80头,按体重、性别相同原则随机分为4个处理,每处理设5个重复,每个重复4头猪。各个处理组采用相同的日粮组成,对照组饲喂含常规粉碎豆粕(目标粒径为750μm)的日粮,处理1、2、3分别饲喂含目标粒径为150、30、6μm豆粕的日粮。结果表明:使用粉碎粒度低于30μm豆粕的日粮提高了断奶仔猪日增重(P<0.05),明显提高采食量(P>0.05),降低饲料增重比(P<0.05),显著降低断奶仔猪的腹泻频率;使用粉碎粒度低于30μm豆粕的日粮提高断奶仔猪日粮氮、磷表观消化率(P<0.05),改善能量消化率(P=0.063)和有机物表观消化率(P=0.082),显著提高必需氨基酸的表观消化率(P<0.05)。粉碎粒度低于30μm的超微粉碎豆粕可显著提高断奶仔猪日粮蛋白质的消化效率,提高断奶仔猪的生长性能,改善了豆粕作为蛋白质营养源的生物适应性。     

Effect of creep feed consumption on individual feed intake characteristics and performance of group-housed weanling pigs

To assess the effects of creep feed consumption on individual feed intake characteristics and performance of group-housed weaned pigs, 16 litters (149 piglets) were fed a commercial creep feed (3,040 kcal NE/kg, 15.2 g lysine/kg) supplemented with 1% chromic oxide. Another five litters (48 piglets) were not given access to creep feed (no-feed). Piglets were weaned at 28 d after birth. On d 18, 22, and 27 of age, fecal samples from all the piglets were taken using fecal loops. A green color of the feces indicated that the piglet had eaten creep feed. Piglets that had green-colored feces three times were considered as eaters. Piglets that never showed green-colored feces were considered as non-eaters. At weaning 22 piglets of each type (no-feed, non-eaters, and eaters) were selected based on BW, litter origin, and sex. These 66 pigs were assigned to six pens equipped with computerized feeding stations. Eaters, non-eaters, and no-feed pigs were equally divided over all six pens. After weaning a prestarter (d 0 to 13) and a starter diet (d 14 to 34) were offered for ad libitum consumption. The individual feed intake characteristics of latency time (interval between weaning and first feed intake) and initial feed intake (intake during the first 24 h following first feed intake) and performance traits were determined for all piglets. The pigs that were designated as eaters needed less time between weaning and first feed intake than the pigs that were designated as non-eaters and no-feed pigs (P = 0.04 and P = 0.06, respectively). Initial feed intake was not affected (P > 0.1) by feed intake prior to weaning. However, during d 0 to 8 the eaters had more visits per day during which feed was consumed than both the non-eaters and no-feed pigs. Averaged over the first 8 d after weaning, the ADFI and ADG of the eaters were higher than that of the non-eaters and no-feed pigs (P < 0.05). Averaged over the total 34-d period the effect of creep feed intake on postweaning ADFI was much less pronounced (P = 0.20), whereas ADG of the eaters was the highest (P < 0.05). Creep feed intake during the sucking period stimulates early postweaning feed intake as well as postweaning performance.     

甘氨酸亚铁对断奶仔猪生长性能、铁表观消化率及血清铁相关指标的影响

本试验旨在研究甘氨酸亚铁对断奶仔猪生长性能、铁表观消化率及血清铁相关指标的影响。试验选取12头(28±1)日龄"杜×长×大"断奶仔猪,根据体重、健康状况等均衡分布原则分为2组,每组6个重复,每个重复1头仔猪,单个饲养于消化代谢笼。试验分为2个阶段,第1阶段:2组均饲喂缺铁基础饲粮10 d,使仔猪处于临近贫血状态;第2阶段:对照组在缺铁基础饲粮中额外添加100 mg/kg的硫酸亚铁(以铁计),试验组额外添加100 mg/kg的甘氨酸亚铁(以铁计),试验期10 d。结果表明:与添加硫酸亚铁相比,饲粮添加甘氨酸亚铁有降低仔猪料重比的趋势(P0.10),降低了4.57%,但对仔猪的平均日增重、平均日采食量无显著影响(P0.10);饲粮添加甘氨酸亚铁能显著降低粪中的铁排出量和铁排出总量(P0.05),分别降低了23.11%和22.09%;饲粮添加甘氨酸亚铁能极显著提高铁表观消化率和表观代谢率(P0.01),分别提高了13.34%和22.42%;同时,饲粮添加甘氨酸亚铁能显著提高血清中的铁饱和度和血液中的铁含量(P0.05)。综上,甘氨酸亚铁可提高断奶仔猪的生长性能,提高血液铁含量,改善仔猪铁代谢状况,降低粪便铁排出量,是一种绿色高效的新型补铁剂。     

三丁酸甘油酯对断奶仔猪生长性能及养分消化率的影响

为研究三丁酸甘油酯对断奶仔猪生长性能及养分消化率的影响,选用96头健康、平均体重为（7.93±0.04） kg的长大二元杂种断奶仔猪随机分为2组,每组6栏,每栏8头,对照组饲喂基础饲粮,三丁酸甘油酯组饲喂基础饲粮＋0.20%三丁酸甘油酯。预试期3 d,正试期21 d。结果显示,与对照组相比,三丁酸甘油酯组仔猪日采食量提高7.02%（P〉0.05）,日增重提高11.79%（P〈0.05）,料重比降低4.14%（P〉0.05）,腹泻率和发病率分别降低66.67%（P〈0.01）和22.22%（P〈0.05）。饲粮粗蛋白质、粗脂肪和能量的表观消化率分别提高6.56%（P〈0.05）、12.38%（P〈0.05）和4.09%（P〈0.05）。说明饲粮中添加0.20%三丁酸甘油酯可提高断奶仔猪生长性能和饲粮养分消化率。     

Integrated resource-driven pig production systems in a mountainous area of Northeast India: production practices and pig performance

Data on pig production system was derived through structured household interviews from a total number of 320 rural households and performance of pigs was assessed. Results revealed that the pig production system represented mixed farming based mainly on the common property resources. Majority of the pigs were reared in intensive system and fed with home made cooked feed (kitchen waste and locally available plants). The body weight of crossbred, Burmese and local pigs were 67, 65.4 and 45.6 kg, respectively at 12 months of age with average daily body weight of 184, 179 and 125 g, respectively. The overall mortality among the pigs was 17.96%. The major causes of mortality in pigs were Swine fever, Swine erysipelas, digestive disorders, nephritis and respiratory disorders. The body weight gain in pigs subjected to deworming and mineral mixture supplementation (218 g/day) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the control group (178 g/day). The input output ratio was 1:1.7 for both crossbred and Burmese pigs, while the corresponding ratio for local pigs was 1:1.2. It is inferred that the smallholder resource driven pig production system is economically viable and sustainable at household level and there is enough scope to improve the smallholder resource driven pig production system.     

Production constraints of smallholder pig farms in agro-ecological zones of Mpumalanga,South Africa

South African pig sector is a contributor to the agricultural industry. A study was conducted to identify the production constraints and compare the management practices in smallholder pig farms in Mpumalanga, South Africa. A total of 220 selected smallholder pig farmers were interviewed. Smallholder pig farming was predominated by male (64 %), age above 50 years (54 %), black Africans (98.6 %), and three quarters of the smallholder farmers were poor to just below average. Majority (80 %) have no pig husbandry training, while only 33 % received assistance from government’s Agricultural Department. In terms of stock, mixed breeds (89 %) from exotic pigs were mostly kept and majority (87 %) of the farmers kept ≤10 sows in their herds. Many farmers (75 %) engaged in risky behavior of buying auctioned-sourced boars, free-range boars, and untested boars from neighbors and relatives. Few (17 %) farmers practiced vaccination and only 10 % kept farm records. Majority of the responses on pre-weaning mortality (50 %) and post-weaning mortality (90 %) were within acceptable range of 1–10 and 1–5 % mortality rates, respectively. The lead causes of mortality were weak piglets and crushing (46 %), diarrhea (27 %), poor management knowledge (19 %), and malnutrition (16 %). Agricultural training and government incentives will facilitate improved productivity in smallholder pig farming.     

酵母抽提物替代血浆蛋白粉对断奶仔猪生产性能的影响

试验旨在研究酵母抽提物部分或全部替代血浆蛋白粉对断奶仔猪生产性能的影响。试验共选160头体重([6.20±0.10)kg]和日龄([26±2)d]相近的PIC断奶仔猪,分为4个处理,每个处理5个重复,每个重复8头仔猪。对照组(处理1)饲喂基础日粮,处理2饲喂含4%血浆蛋白粉(SDPP)日粮,处理3饲喂含2%SDPP+2%酵母抽提物的日粮,处理4饲喂含4%酵母抽提物日粮。试验期为28 d,所有仔猪自由采食和饮水。结果表明,与对照组相比,饲喂含4%酵母抽提物日粮能促进仔猪生长,试验全期仔猪日增重提高15%(P<0.05),饲料增重比降低7%(P<0.05);与含4%或2%SDPP日粮组相比,饲喂含4%酵母抽提物日粮并没有显著影响仔猪平均日采食量和日增重,但饲料增重比在试验前3周和试验全期均得到显著改善(降低7%～10%,P<0.05)。因此,酵母抽提物能促进断奶仔猪生长,部分或全部替代SDPP不影响仔猪增重,且能改善饲料转化率。     

二次制粒加工断奶过渡料对早期断奶仔猪生长性能的影响

选用360头21日龄早期断奶仔猪平均分为4组,按制粒工艺、原料膨化预处理不同设计2因素2水平试验,研究二次制粒加工断奶过渡料对早期断奶仔猪生长性能的影响。结果显示:采用二次制粒工艺及膨化玉米、膨化豆粕原料的处理4仔猪,断奶后第一周,有最大的采食量(P<0.05);试验全期断奶14 d中,处理组4仔猪平均日增重最大,生长性能最好。血清尿素氮测定结果显示:断奶后第7天,处理组4仔猪血清尿素氮显著低于其他三组。断奶后第14天,处理组4仔猪血清皮质醇显著低于处理1组。此外,试验全期四个处理组仔猪血清总血糖无显著差异(P>0.05)。表明,在选择膨化玉米与膨化豆粕优质饲料原料的基础上,采用二次制粒工艺,尤其是先将鱼粉与膨化玉米、膨化豆粕进行第一次高温制粒,对降低仔猪断奶应激,改善生长性能有良好的效果。     

木瓜蛋白酶和苜蓿对断奶仔猪生长性能的影响

选取杜×长×大三元杂断奶仔猪171头作为实验动物,研究木瓜蛋白酶的添加和苜蓿替代部分豆粕后对断奶仔猪腹泻、生产性能的影响。结果表明:添加木瓜蛋白酶后对仔猪的生长有促进作用,平均日采食量增加2.7%、平均日增重提高2.56%、料重比分别提高2.7%、2.56%和降低1.6%。添加木瓜蛋白酶并用苜蓿替代5%的豆粕对仔猪的生长也有促进作用,平均日采食量增加10.8%、平均日增重提高7.69%、料重比降低1.03%。     

多生态复合益生素对仔猪生长及其育肥性能影响的研究

试验旨在探讨相同日粮条件下添加多生态复合益生素对仔猪生长及其育肥性能的影响。选取体质、年龄、健康程度相似的断奶仔猪杜洛克、约克夏和长白共1 1 0头和1 36头生长育肥猪,随机分为试验组和对照组;两组基础日粮一致,仔猪的试验组在基础日粮中添加0.35%多生态复合益生素,育肥试验组添加0.32%多生态复合益生素。断奶仔猪试验结果表明:试验组与对照组在试验中期体重、体长差异极显著(P<0.01),平均日增重增长了52.1 7%;末期时体重、体长差异极显著(P<0.01),平均日增重提高了20.93%。育肥猪试验结果表明:试验组与对照组在试验中期时体重、体长差异极显著(P<0.01);末期时体重、体长差异极显著(P<0.01),平均日增重提高了1 4.7%。表明,多生态复合益生素能减少仔猪死亡率、提高生长速度,并且提高育肥猪日增重、降低料重比、较大幅度减少异臭和苍蝇数量。     

发酵构树饲料对断奶仔猪生长性能、养分表观消化率和血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中不同比例发酵构树饲料对断奶仔猪生长性能、养分表观消化率和血清生化指标的影响.试验选取35日龄、体重为(7.4±1.1)kg的健康断奶仔猪216头,随机分为Ⅰ(对照)、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组,每组3个重复,每个重复18头仔猪.其中,Ⅰ组饲喂基础饲粮;Ⅱ组饲喂3％发酵构树饲料+97％基础饲粮;Ⅲ组饲喂6％发酵构树...     

Comparison of low-glycoalkaloid potato protein and fish meal as protein sources for weaner piglets

A total of 32 weaner piglets (Landrace×Yorkshire) with an average initial body weight of 9.6±1.2 kg, and 29.8±2.7 days of age, were used in a 28-day growth assay to compare low-glycoalkaloid potato protein with fish meal as the main protein source. The piglets were housed pair-wise in pens and were fed semi-ad libitum. During feeding the piglets were separated allowing individual feeding within the pen. Four diets were tested with varying proportions of a high quality fish meal (F) and low-glycoalkaloid potato protein (P): diet A (10% F); diet B (5% F and 5% P); diet C (2.5% F and 7.5% P) and diet D (10% P). On average, in weeks 1–4, the piglets on diets C and D had higher feed intakes (17%; P<0.01) and daily weight gains (18%; P<0.05) than the piglets on diets A and B. There was no effect of diet (P>0.05) on feed conversion. It can be concluded from the present study that low-glycoalkaloid potato protein can completely replace high quality fish meal in diets for weaner pigs. The improved feed intake and daily gain with increasing inclusion suggests that low-glycoalkaloid potato protein may be superior to fish meal as a protein source for weaner pigs.