Impact of Fermented Corn Straw on Growth Performance, Digestibility and Cecal Micro Flora of Grower Pigs

摘要

Objective: The aims of the present experiment were to evaluate the impact of fermented corn straws on growth performance, nutrients digestibility and cecal micro flora of grower to finishing pigs. Methodology: The total of 72 healthy pigs (Landrace, large white, Duroc breeds) aged 64 days with initial body weight of 30.4±1.53 kg were used for 80 days study period. Pigs were housed in groups of six of the same gender, with each treatment replicated 3 times in a completely randomised block design. Diets containing fermented corn straws were formulated to be isoenergetic and had similar crude protein content, then randomly assigned to: (1) control (no fermented corn straws), (2) 10%, (3) 15% and (4) 20% of fermented corn straws derivatives. Pigs were fed ad libitum and had free access to drinking water. Feed intake and body weight were was measured and recorded daily. After slaughtered (on 80th days) the cecal tissues samples were collected for analysis. Nutrients digestibility analysis was performed using the acid insoluble ash as the internal marker, whereby the cecal micro floras were then evaluated using the PCR-DGGE. Results: The results demonstrated the significant differences on crude protein s (82.41±1.93, 61.39±2.31), crude fiber (68.03±3.13, 26.49±0.74), apparent detergent fiber (78.20±1.41, 30.19±1.98) and neutral detergent fiber (73.83±2.30, 48.24±2.78) digestibility in pigs fed supplements compared to the control (p0.05). Conclusion: Although, the fermented corn straws had declined nutrients digestibility in supplemented pigs, there were no differences reported on growth performance, small chain fatty acid s and cecal micro flora diversity and this suggest that the use of fermented corn straw in growing to finisher pigs can help reduce feed cost.