Voluntary feed intake and growth performance of slow-growing pigs fed on increasing levels of ensiled potato hash meal.

The objective of the study was to determine voluntary feed intake and growth performance of Windsnyer pigs fed on increasing levels of potato hash silage meal. Thirty-six growing Windsnyer pigs (19 kg ± 5.59) (mean ± standard deviation (SD)) were individually and randomly assigned to six experimental diets containing 0, 80, 160, 240, 320 and 400 g/kg DM of potato hash silage. Diets containing the potato hash silage were formulated using diet dilution method from 0 g/kg and 400 g/kg. Six pigs were fed on each diet ad libitum for 6 weeks. Average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), gain to feed (G/F) ratio, scaled feed intake (SFI) and scaled average daily gain (SADG) were measured weekly. Increasing levels of potato hash silage caused a decrease (P < 0.05) in ADG, G/F ratio and SADG. The ADFI interacted significantly (P < 0.05) with the inclusion level of potato hash silage and week of feeding. Pigs fed on 240 g/kg potato hash silage had greater ADFI in the second, third and fourth week of feeding. There was a quadratic increase (P < 0.05) in ADFI. There was a linear decrease (P < 0.05) in ADG and G/F ratio and SADG as the potato hash silage level increased. Using piecewise regression, potato hash silage can be included up to 240 g/kg DM in Windsnyer pigs without undermining growth performance.