ABSTRACT

Three experiments were conducted to determine the performance and odour emission from pig fed diets containing mollusc shells (Thais coronata, Egeria radiata, Achatina achatina, Pachymelania aurita) and the natural zeolite. In experiment 1, the weaner phase, 36 hybrid (landrace x largewhite) pigs, about 8 -10 weeks old whose initial life weight ranged from (9.00 -12.20) kg were assigned to diets containing 0.10% each ofthe four different mollusc shells to determine the performance, haematological indices and economics of production of pig in a completely randomized design. Experiment 2 the grower phase, 36 hybrid (landrace x largewhite) pigs, about 18 weeks old with an average initial weight of 21.50kg were assigned to diets containing (0.00, 0.20 and 0.30) % of Thais coronata and Egeria radiata shells to determine the performance, haematological indices and economics of production of grower pigs in a 2x3 factorial design. In experiment 3 the finisher phase, 36 hybrid (landrace x largewhite) pigs, about 27 weeks old with an average initial weight of36.64 kg were assigned to diets containing (0.00, 0.20 and 0.30) % of Thais coronata and the natural zeolite to determine the performance, haematological indices, serum biochemistry, economics of production, odour offesiveness and apparent nutrient digestibility of finisher pig in a 2x3 factorial design. The pigs were randomly assigned to 6 treatments, 6 pigs each replicated 3 times with 2 pigs per replicate reared on a concrete-floored pen. Eight days interval were given at the end of each experiment, within this period the pigs were fed same diets and re allocated to balance their initial live weight for the next experiment. Two mollusc shells with optimal performance were selected from experiment 1 for experiment 2, and one from experiment 2 for experiment 3 respectively. Odour offensiveness of the finisher pigs’ faeces was determined using 16 panelists in a 5 point scale. Two pigs per treatment were kept individually in the metabolism cage for ease in the collection of faeces to determine the apparent nutrient digestibility ofthe finisher pigs. Two pigs per treatment were also selected and slaughtered for carcass evaluation at the end of experiments 3. Experiment 1 showed no significant- (P>0.05) differences in all performance parameters considered. There were no significant (P>0.05) differencesin the interaction between the effect of mollusc shells and the level ofinclusion in growth performance, cost/kg weight gain and gross margin of grower pigs. The level of inclusion of Thias coronata and the natural zeolite had significantly higher (P<0.05) final live weight and daily weight gain, than the control diet in experiment 3.The panelist scores of oduor offensiveness showed non-significant (P>0.05) differences in the scores for cumulative and percentage weighted score. It was concluded that the inclusion ofmollusc shells in the diets of pig at different stages of growth could improve performance in term of body weight gain and that Thais coronata can compare closely with the natural zoelite (a conventional adsorbent) in mitigation of odour from the faeces of pig.