Evaluation of Field Peas as Food for Fattening Pigs

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate field peas as a food for pigs. The study was made on three isoproteic and isoenergetic diets: D0: control diet without peas, D20: with 20% of peas; D40: with 40% of peas. The experiment I consisted of a digestibility and metabolism test in vivo, with 12 male pigs of 40 kg, determining apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of DM, OM, CP and GE, biological value and net protein of diets. Experiment II was a performance test with 24 pigs in the period from 50 to 110 kg. Daily gain (DG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were evaluated. The pigs were slaughtered at 110 ± 2 kg determining dressing percentage, carcass length, backfat thickness and percentage of commercial cuts. A randomized plot design was used, constituting each animal the experimental unit. The results were statistically analyzed using ANOVA at 1 and 5%. There were no significant differences between treatments in the ADC of nutrients. No differences were observed between treatments for the performance parameters. The results of carcass and cuts yield did not differ between treatments. It is concluded that the field pea is a suitable food to include in pig diets.