Growth Performance of Upgrade Pigs fed with Commercial Feeds Supplemented with Sweet Potato vines

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the Growth Performance of Upgrade Pigs Fed with Commercial Feeds Supplemented with chopped Sweet Potato Vines. At Barangay Masla, Tadian, Mountain Province from March to April 2015. A total of twelve, 120 days old pigs belonging to one litter, was used in the study. The pigs were distributed into three treatments following the completely randomized design (CRD). Each treatment had four replications. The treatments were, T0= 0g sweet potato vines (SPV), T1=200g sweet potato vines (SPV), T2=400g sweet potato vines (SPV) and all upgrade pigs were given the same amount of 2.62kg commercial ration per day. The upgrade pigs were fed for a period of 56 days (120-176 days old). Highly significant differences were observed in terms of final weight, total and average daily gains in weight, feed conversion ratio but on a dry matter basis and feed cost to produce a kg gain in weights. Generally, the pigs given 200 and 400g SPV supplementation had higher final weights with means of 65.25kg and 67.25kg, respectively compared to the control pigs which had a mean final weight of 62.75kg. They also had higher gains in weights. The pigs fed with 400g SPV supplementation had a mean total gain in weight of 32.50kg or ADG of 0.58kg. Those given 200g SPV supplementation and those not given sweet potato vines had mean total gains in weight of 29.50kg or 0.53kg ADG and 27.50kg or 0.49 ADG, respectively. However, higher feed costs to produce a kilogram gain in weight were observed in the upgrade pigs given sweet potato vines supplementation brought about by the cost of preparation compared to the upgrade pigs not given sweet potato vines supplementation.