Influence of dietary energy and protein levels on growth performance and some blood biochemical indices of growing indigenous (ghungroo) pigs

Abstract

The effect of dietary energy and protein levels on growth performance as well as changes in certain blood biochemicals were studied in growing indigenous (Ghungroo) pigs. Twenty-four piglets were divided into four groups i.e., high protein-high energy (Gr-I), high protein-low energy (Gr-II), low protein-high energy (Gr-III) and low protein-low energy (Gr-IV). Four rations were prepared by maintaining 2 levels of protein and 2 levels of energy and fed to respective group. Body weight gain in both Gr-II and Gr-IV were significantly lower than other groups. Energy level had significant effect on daily body weight gain of the animals. All the blood constituents increase with advancement of age in all the groups. However, haemoglobin, glucose and total protein differs significantly between the groups and their values were found to be higher in Gr-I. These results indicated that the ration with low protein and high energy could be optimum to promote growth in growing indigenous piglets as well as to sustain the blood constituents within range.