The effect of daily energy intake on growth rate and composition of weight gain in pigs

An experiment with 29 crossbred female growing pigs (Dutch Landrace × Dutch Yorkshire) was carried out to measure the effect of daily energy intake on growth rate, N retention (according to the balance method) and composition of the weight gain. The weight gain composition was analysed by slaughtering pigs at regular intervals between 25 and 110 kg live weight. Two levels of daily energy intake, at an adequate protein intake, were used, and pigs on both treatments were slaughtered at the same age.Differences in daily energy intake affected growth rate and composition of the weight gain. Restriction of the daily energy intake by 20% caused a 15% lower live weight gain and a 12% lower N retention. Carcass muscle growth was 8% lower and fatty tissue growth was lower by 28%. Growth of bone was unaffected. Chemical analysis of different parts of the body revealed that reducing the daily energy intake by 20% caused an 8% lower protein deposition and a 28% lower fat deposition in the total body. However, there were differences between different anatomical parts of the body.Efficiency of pig meat production is discussed in relation to the effects of energy supply on weight gain composition.