Starfish (Asterias rubens) as feed ingredient for piglets

Summary

tThe effects of including starfish meal (SM) as an alternative protein source in diets for pigletson performance, faeces characteristics and plasma parameters were investigated. Four dietswere formulated to contain different protein sources: fish meal (FM), extruded soybeanmeal (ESBM) and two levels of SM (SM50 and SM100). All diets contained 174.4 g soybeanmeal/kg feed and were supplemented by up to 166-172 g standardised ileal digestible crudeprotein/kg feed with either FM, ESBM, SM or a combination giving rise to two SM + ESBMdiets with different levels of SM and ESBM. One wk after weaning, 96 pigs with a bodyweight of 9.6 ± 0.4 kg were housed individually and allocated to one of the four diets (n = 24)and fed ad libitum for a 14 d period. Average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain(ADG) and gain to feed ratio (G:F) were determined. Pigs fed the SM100 diet had a 23–28%lower (P < 0.001) ADG than pigs fed the FM, ESBM and SM50 diets, despite the fact thatthey ate the same amount of feed. Faeces characteristics were evaluated by scoring during5 d, and no differences were observed, indicating no effect of the diet on diarrhoea. Bloodsamples were collected on d 15. Plasma urea nitrogen in SM100 was higher (P < 0.003) thanthe concentrations in ESBM and SM50 but not FM. Plasma Ca concentration was higher(P < 0.001) in pigs receiving SM100 compared to FM, ESBM and SM50. The opposite was thecase with P where the concentration was lower (P < 0.001) in SM100 compared to FM, ESBMand SM50. In conclusion, feeding 50 g SM/kg resulted in a performance equal to pigs fedthe control diets. Inclusion of 100 g SM/kg in the diet affected performance negatively dueto a wide Ca:P affecting digestibility and absorption of P negatively. Thus, the determiningfactor for the maximum inclusion level of SM in diets for piglets may be the dietary Ca leveland the resulting Ca:P in relation to the nutritional requirements.