Effects of nitrogen and energy source on nutrient digestibility in the young pig

Dried whole whey, lard or dried skim milk was added to a corn-soybean meal basal diet to determine the effect on apparent nitrogen (ND), energy (ED) and dry matter digestibility (DMD) in pigs weaned at 28 d. Four groups of four littermate barrows were allotted to the experimental diets and placed in individual metabolism pens for 12 d (3 d adjustment and three collection periods of 3 d each) after weaning. The study was a 4 X 3 factorial with diet and period as main effects. Addition of dried skim milk or dried whey to the diet resulted in higher values (P less than .05) for DMD and ED as compared with the basal or corn-soy and lard diet. Pigs fed added dried skim milk had improved (P less than .05) ND over pigs on other dietary treatments. All nutrient digestibility coefficients increased (P less than .05) from period 1 to period 2, and ND increased (P less than .05) from period 2 to 3. It was concluded that the young pig requires at least 6 to 9 d after weaning at 28 d to adjust to typical corn-soybean meal starter diets.