Abstract
Two feeding trials from weaning to market weight were conducted with diets containing 4 and 8% crude fiber, 13 and 17% crude protein, and 2.87 and 3.48 Mcal/kg ME. The diets were computer formulated with pre-specified physical and quality requirements. A third feeding trial consisted of two levels of fiber (2.09 vs 8.87%) or bulk and two levels of energy (3.50 vs 2.94 Mcal/kg). Feeds in the third trial were used to determine volume of feed when wet or dry and the effect of volume and swelling capacity on feed consumption as related to bulk and energy content. Levels of crude fiber had no effect on growth rate provided energy density was adequate. The low fiber diets produced leaner carcasses than the high fiber diets, which may partially be due to added fats in the high fiber diets to equate energy levels. Crude protein level did not significantly increase growth rate when fed in diets of equal energy. Copyright © 1975. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1975 by American Society of Animal Science.