Protein and energy utilization by weaners pigs fed chicken offal meal or blood meal with graded levels of maize offal

Thirty six weaner pigs (Large White x Landrace) averaging 8.86 ± 0.22kg body weight were randomly assigned to six isonitrogenous (20% crude protein) dietary treatment groups in a 2 x 3 factorial design of two protein sources (Blood Meal (BM) and Chicken Offal Meal (COM) and three replacement levels of maize offal (MO) for maize (0, 25 and 50%) in a fifty six (56) day feeding trial after an adjustment period of seven days. Dry matter intake was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by feeding COM or BM at the three levels of MO. The pigs fed the 0 and 25% levels of MO for both protein sources had comparable (P > 0.05) growth performance. They performed significantly (P < 0.01) better than for those fed BM. The metabolisable energy intake per day was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by varying MO levels and the protein sources. Conversely, the metabolisable energy intake per kilogramme gain was significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by both treatments. The cost of feed per kg live weight gain followed the same pattern as the performance parameters. The 0 and 25% MO diets with comparable costs were more cost effective (P < 0.05) than the 50% MO diets while COM supported cheaper cost of feed per gain. The serum metabolites were not significantly (P > 0.05) influenced by the varying MO levels and the protein sources except for the urea and globulin contents. The results establish the fact that weaner pigs can tolerate maize offal inclusion in feed up to 25% but not up to 50% (P < 0.01) and that COM enhanced performance than does BM as an unconventional protein supplement in the diet for weaner pigs.