Factors influencing the apparent faecal digestibility of energy and organic matter in wheat and wheat by-products (bran and broll) for the growing pig : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nutritional Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

The effect of several factors on the determination of the apparent faecal digestibility of dietary energy (ADE) and dietary organic matter (ADOM) for the growing pig was studied. The work was conducted in three parts. In the first part of the overall study, the effects of collection method (total faeces collection versus chromic oxide as a marker) and duration of the faeces collection period were examined. Thirty kg liveweight pigs were subjected to a conventional balance study (7 days adaptation, 12 days faeces collection) and were for either a wheat- or wheat byproduct- (broil/bran) based diet. ADE and ADOM were higher (P0.05) effect of feeding level but a significant (P<0.05) though relatively small effect of animal liveweight, with digestibility being somewhat higher for the heavier pigs. The third part of the overall study evaluated the effect of genotype on ADE and ADOM for the two cereal based diets. Four-month-old Large White x Landrace pigs, (55 kg liveweight) and three-month-old Kune-Kune pigs (20 kg liveweight) were subjected to a conventional balance study with ADE and ADOM being determined based on a total collection of faeces. When for the wheat by-product based diet the Kune-Kune pigs showed a higher (P