DIETARY SUBSTITUTION OF MAIZE WITH KOLA POD HUSK MEAL ON GROWTH, HAEMATOLOGY AND SERUM PROFILE OF PIGS

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the dietary effect of kola pod husk (KPH) meal on the growth, haematology and serum profile of weaner pigs. Forty weaner pigs of crossbreed and mixed sexes were randomly distributed to 5 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design of 8 pigs per treatment with a pig per replicate in a feeding trial that lasted for 84 days. Results showed a significantly (p<0.05) lower average weight gain (0.29-0.37 kg/pig/d) in pigs fed 20 - 40% KPH meal-based diets compared with the 0.46 kg/pig/d average weight gain in pigs fed 0 and 10% KPH meal-based diets. Feed conversion ratio (feed: gain ratio) was significantly (p<0.001) poorer (3.86-3.03) in pigs fed 20-40% KPH-based diets compared with those (2.45 and 2.46) on the control and 10% KPH meal. Total feed intake was similar (p>0.05) across the pigs fed the control and kola pod husk meal. Haematological parameters such as the red blood cell (RBC), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), haemoglobin concentration (HbC), lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils of pigs were significantly (p<0.05) influenced at varying substitution levels of dietary KPH meal. Among the serum indices, only the blood urea and high-density lipoprotein were not significantly (p>0.05) influenced by dietary substitution of maize with KPH meal. Economics of production revealed a 10% KPH meal as the optimal and economic threshold of KPH meal substitution as an energy source for maize in pig diet. Thus, substitution of KPH meal for maize as an energy source in pigs’ diet at a 10% level will help reduce the cost of pig production without posing any health challenges.