ÉVALUATION DE DIVERS TRAITEMENTS TECHNOLOGIQUES DES CÉRÉALES IV. — INFLUENCE DU FLOCONNAGE ET DE L'EXPANSION DE L'ORGE ET DU MAÏS SUR LES PERFORMANCES DU PORCELET SEVRÉ A 2I JOURS : EFFETS SUR LA DIGESTIBILITÉ DES ÉLÉMENTS DE LA RATION

Abstract

Two successive experiments were conducted on 9 and 7 litters of piglets, respectively, in order to compare the feed efficiency of 3 wk-weaning diets based on barley (59%) or maize (56%) either untreated, steam flaked or popped. The average growth rate of the animals during 6 wk after weaning varied little in the case of maize diets; the weight gain was slightly better with flaked barley and the feed efficiency was also improved with diets containing treated barley. The diarrhea frequency varied according to the post-weaning age and it decreased between 1-6 wk as the animals adapted to weaning diets based on starch. Rations based on treated cereals increased the frequency of diarrhea because they caused a slightly higher feed intake on the first days following weaning. The digestibility coefficient of the organic matter showed a variation of 81, 79 and 78% for flaked, popped and untreated (control) barley, respectively; the corresponding values for maize were 89, 88 and 86%. N utilization was improved in large proportions; the apparent digestibility coefficient of N was 75, 75 and 70% respectively, for flaked, popped and untreated barley and 81, 81 and 78% for maize, representing average value; for the whole experimental period (6 wk). The favorable influence of moist-heat treatments of cereals used in early weaning diets is discussed in relation to the cost of such treatments.