EVALUATION OF SILK WORM PUPAE MEAL ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE IN LARGE WHITE YORKSHIRE PIGS

Abstract

A study was carried out to assess the effect of dietary inclusion of silk worm pupae meal (SWPM) replacing fish meal protein at three levels on the growth performance of Large White Yorkshire Pigs. Twenty seven female piglets were divided into three groups of nine piglets each and were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments incorporating SWPM replacing protein from unsalted dried fish at 0, 50 and 100 per cent levels. Records of daily feed intake and fortnightly body weights and body measurements such as body length, girth and height were maintained throughout the experimental period of 90 days. The cumulative average daily gain and cumulative feed conversion efficiency of pigs maintained on the three dietary treatements T1 T2 and T3 were 481.4 and 3.78, 510.1 and 3.63 and 495.7 g and 3.62 respectively, which did not differ significantly (P>0.05). Though the inclusion of SWPM in diets seemed to reduce the cost of production when compared to the diet containing unsalted dried fish, the difference was not significant (P>0.05). It can be concluded that SWPM can be used to replace unsalted dried fish partially or completely in swine ration without any adverse effects on the growth rate and feed conversion efficiency.