Adding Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) to weanling pig diets and the effect on manure composition and characteristics

Seventy-two weanling pigs, 28 days of age, were fed diets containing 0, 1%, 3% or 6% Jerusalem artichoke (JA) meal for 4 weeks. Total feed consumed and feed efficiency were significantly (P < 0.059) affected by the addition of JA to the diet. The pigs eating the diets containing JA had significantly (P < 0.05) increased concentrations of six volatile fatty acids (VFA) in their manure; animals receiving the 3% JA diet had the highest VFA levels with the exception of valeric acid. The smell of fresh (less than 4 h) manure from the pigs eating 3% or 6% JA was significantly (P < 0.005) sweeter, less sharp and pungent (P < 0.01), and had less of a skatole smell (P < 0.001) than pigs eating the 0% control diet. The manure from pigs eating JA was also judged to be lighter in colour with significantly (P < 0.001) more brown and green but less yellow colour.