Utilization of Fat by Young Pigs

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Abstract
Five experiments involving 472 pigs were conducted to study the utilization of lard, tallow, soybean oil and coconut oil when added at levels up to 38% of the total diet. Digestibility of fat, protein and dry matter by pigs increased significantly between 3 and 6 weeks of age and remained relatively unchanged between 6 and 9 weeks of age. Increasing the fat level in the diet did not improve the efficiency of feed utilization, and, in general, added fat tended to decrease rate of gain. Specific gravity measurements of live pigs indicated that the deposition of fat increased as the dietary level of fat increased. These experiments indicate that the young pig is relatively inefficient in utilizing lard, tallow, soybean oil and to a lesser extent coconut oil. Copyright © 1965. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1965 by American Society of Animal Science