Abstract: A total 100 weaned pigs [(Landrace x Yorkshire) x Duroc; 8.33 kg average initial BW] were used to evaluate the effects of fish meal from different origins on growth performance and nutrient digestibility. The dietary treatments were TLF (8 and 5% Triple Nine® low temperature fish meal in Phase 1 and 2, respectively), TF (8 and 5% Triple Nine® fish meal), FLF (8 and 5% FF Skagen® low temperature fish meal) and EF (8 and 5% El Golfo® fish meal). In Phase 1 and 2, experimental diets were fed for 10 and 14 days, respectively. In Phase 3, the same diet without fish meal was fed to evaluate after-effect of fish meal on growth performance after Phase 2. There were 5 replications with 5 pigs per pen. From days 0-10, pigs fed TF and EF diets had greater (p<0.05) ADG compared to pigs fed the TLF and FLF diets. Pigs fed the TF diet had improved (p<0.05) gain/feed ratio compared to pigs fed the FLF diet. From days 10-24, pigs fed the TLF diet had higher (p<0.05) ADG compared to pigs fed the FLF diet. Gain:feed ratio of the FLF group was significantly lower (p<0.05) than the other groups. From days 24-36, pigs fed the EF diet had greater (p<0.05) ADG compared to pigs fed TLF and TF diets. Pigs fed FLF and EF diets had improved (p<0.05) G:F ratio than pigs fed the TLF and TF diets. Overall (days 0-36), pigs fed EF diet had greater (p<0.05) ADG compared to pigs fed the TLF and TF diets. Pigs fed EF diet had higher (p<0.05) compared to pigs fed the TLF and FLF diets. With regard to nutrient digestibility, pigs fed TF diet had greater (p<0.05) Dry Material (DM), Nitrogen (N), Crude ash, Ca compared to pigs fed the other diets. Pigs fed TLF and EF diets had improved (p<0.05) P than pigs fed the FLF diet. Gross Energy (GE) of the FLF group was significantly lower (p<0.05) than the other groups. In conclusion, feeding nursery pigs diets containing EF can improve growth performance compared to those fed diets containing the other fish meals.
J.H. Cho, Y.J. Choi and I.H. Kim , 2012. Effects of Fish Meal from Various Origins on Growth Performance and Nutrient Digestibility in Piglets. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 11: 1435-1440.