DARCOF · Research > Darcof I > High fibre feeds for pigs

High fibre feeds for pigs

The feeding of fibre-rich feeds (roughages) to monogastric animals is important for many reasons: (i) rough-ages satisfy the animal's behavioural requirements with regard to satiety and rooting, (ii) high fibre feeds are thought to have a positive influence on animal health, and finally (iii) roughages have a stabilising effect on rotations. There is, however, insufficient information about the metabolism of roughages by pigs, and there-fore about the amounts that can be included in pig diets without producing a reduction in food intake and growth.

In monogastric animals, dietary fibre is not degraded by the animal's own enzymes in the small intestine. Its energy value is therefore largely determined by the degree to which it is fermented in the caecum and colon. Short-chain fatty acids are utilised much less effectively than are monosaccharides, the loss of energy in gas and heat production is greater, and the animal requires more energy for maintenance. The costs associated with fibre metabolism are thus relatively high and can vary with the type of feed.

Increased fibre concentrations in the feed also have a marked negative effect on the digestibility of its non-fibre components, including protein. Energy and nutrient utilisation can also be reduced because the dietary fibre induces a more rapid rate of passage through the alimentary canal.

The influence of roughages on mineral availability is poorly elucidated. The literature contains contradictory results concerning the impact of fibre on the mineral balance of the pig. The results naturally depend on the amount and type of fibre used, and the extent to which the intake of minerals has been limiting.

The objective of this project is to study the utilisation of nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and minerals) and energy in some high-fibre feeds (roughages) in growing pigs, as well as interactions between fibre and pro-tein metabolism and the effect of fibre-rich feeds on the metabolism and availability of minerals.

Summary
Publications


Project title
I.6 High-fibre feeds for pigs

Project leader
Helle Nygaard Lærke (formerly Johansen),
Danish Institute of Agricultural Science
Research Centre Foulum, P.O. Box 39, DK 8830 Tjele
Tel: +45 8999 1900, Fax: +45 8999 1919
E-mail: HelleN.Lærke@agrsci.dk

Project participants
Hanne Damgaard Poulsen, Henry Jørgensen and Dorthe Carlson, Danish Institute of Agri-cultural Science