Assessment of the Practical Potential of Bambara (Voandzeia subterrenea Thouars) Waste for Weaner Pigs

Twenty four Large White x Landrace weaner pigs averaging 6.72+0.04kg at 8th week of age were used in a 56 days feeding trial to assess the feeding potential of Toasted Bambara Waste (TBW) fed at 0, 5, 10 and 15% levels. The diets were formulated to contain 18% crude protein and 2800kcal ME/kg. The pigs were randomly allocated to four treatments according to weight, sex and litter-mates with three replicates per treatment and two pigs per replicate. Results show that the final body weight of pigs on the control diet (0% TBW) were comparable (P>0.05) to those of pigs on the 10% TBW levels. The efficiency with which the pigs on 10% level of TBW utilized the diet was not significantly different from those of pigs on the control diet (P>0.05). The economy of feed conversion showed that the lowest feed cost per kg live weight gain was observed for pigs on the 10% TBW diet. Haematological evaluation further revealed that pigs on the 10% TBW diet had the highest red blood cells count which differed significantly (P< 0.05) from the other treatments. It is concluded that weaner pigs can tolerate diets with up to 10% level of toasted bambara waste with better performance and cost benefits.