Revaluation of the L-Lysine Requirement of the Weanling Pig

Abstract

Two experiments involving a total of 37 animals were conducted in an attempt to determine the L-lysine requirement of weanling pigs (about 25 lb.). A semi-purified diet consisting of over 80% ground corn, amino acids and other nutrients was fed containing six different L-lysine levels. Total crude protein equivalent of the diet was standardized at 15.0% on a moisture-free basis. Under the conditions of the experiments, the level of utilizable L-lysine which supported maximum gains and feed efficiency for pigs six to seven weeks of age was 0.70% of the moisture-free ration (0.60% of a ration containing 14.1% moisture, or 0.62% of a 10.6% moisture ration), and is equivalent to 4.7% of the total crude protein, or 5.1% of the digestible crude protein of the ration. This level of L-lysine supported average daily gains of over 1.0 lb. per day, required less than 2.50 lb. feed per pound of gain, and produced 3.00 lb. or more gain per pound protein consumed. Female pigs appear to require no more than 0.58% L-lysine in a moisture-free ration (0.52% of a 10.6% moisture diet) for satisfactory gains. Copyright © . .