Comparative energy digestibility of protein feed ingredients in crossbred barrows in different growing stages

This study was conducted to determine the effect of different growing stages on digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) in soybean meal (SBM), cottonseed meal (CSM), rapeseed meal (RSM), corn gluten meal (CGM), and corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) fed to crossbred barrows. Thirty-six growing barrows (GS 1: 29.1 ± 2.85 kg BW), 36 growing barrows (GS 2: 59.2 ± 4.91 kg BW), and 36 finishing barrows (GS 2: 105.4 ± 6.91 kg BW) were allotted to 6 diets in a completely randomized design with 6 replicated pigs per diet per growth stage or BW. Faecal and urine samples were collected for 5 days after a 12-day adaption period. The results showed that the concentration of DE in corn for pigs at GS 3 was greater (P < .05) than that for pigs at GS 1. The concentration of DE and ME in CSM were lower (P < .05) fed to pigs at GS 1 and 2 compared with those at GS 3. Similar effects of BW were observed with corn DDGS. In conclusion, different DE values for corn, and DE and ME values for CSM and corn DDGS, should be used when formulating diets for growing and finishing barrows