Effect of deep bedding floor and fermented feed supplement on productive performance, carcase, meat quality and fatty acid profile of crossbred pigs

This study determined the effects of deep bedding floor and fermented feed supplement on the growth performance, carcase, meat quality, and fatty acid profile of crossbred pigs. Thirty-two ((Thai native × Meishan) × Duroc) crossbreds were organised in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a completely randomised design. Factor A was a deep bedding floor (DB) or solid bedding of concrete floor (SB). Factor B was a feed type of concentrate feed supplemented with a fresh banana stem (BF + CON) or fermented banana stem (FF + CON). Growth performance, carcase traits, chemical composition, meat quality, and fatty acid profile were determined. The final weight, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio of pigs reared on SB were significantly higher than those of pigs raised on DB. The backfat thickness and loin eye area of SB pork were also higher than those of DB pork (p < .05). Feed type had an effect on the percentage of rib, fat content, and TBARS on days 0, 1, and 3. FF + CON feed were lower, but shear force value and a grilling loss percentage of FF + CON were higher than those of BF + CON. The effect of the interaction between floor and feed types was found in the belly of four lean cut and rib percentage, fat content, and pH value in the longissimus dorsi muscle at 24 h and TBARS on Days 0, 1, 3, and 7 (p < .05). Pigs on the DB floor showed inferior carcase composition but slightly better meat quality than pigs raised on SB.HIGHLIGHTS Pigs on the concrete floor performed better than pigs on the deep bedding floor regarding final weight, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio. The pork of pigs fed fermented banana stem showed lower lipid peroxidation that that of pigs fed fresh banana stem. Floor-type and feed type had no effect on the fatty acid profile of pork