The response of weaner pigs to diets containing palm oil slurry

A feeding trial was carried out in which 40 weaner pigs were fed isonitrogenous diets (200 g/kg crude protein) containing various levels (0, 100, 150, 200, 250 g/kg) of palm oil slurry (POS). Palm oil slurry is a liquid effluent obtained during the extraction of palm oil from the palm fruits. It contained (in g/kg) 103.0 crude protein, 116.0 crude fibre, 158.0 ether extract and 19.65 MJ/kg gross energy. The trial lasted eight weeks. Inclusion of palm oil slurry in the diets increased (P<0.05) feed intake, weight gain and back fat thickness while it decreased (P<0.05) the dry matter, crude protein and crude fibre digestibilities. The 250 g/kg inclusion level of palm oil slurry lowered the feed intake. The control diet was significantly higher (P<0.05) in digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and crude fibre than the other four diets.