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The Value of Urea in a Low Protein Ration for Weanling Pigs¹

University of Minnesota

Abstract

Sixty-nine pigs were fed to study the value of urea when added to a low protein ration for weanling pigs. The experiment consisted of three ration treatments. 1. a low protein ration, 2. the same ration plus urea, 3. a higher (normal) protein ration. Each treatment was replicated four times with S or 6 pigs per replicate.

The addition of 1.5 percent urea to a low protein (10.6%) ration for weanling pigs had no significant effect on daily feed consumption or rate of live weight gain. The pigs fed urea required 6 percent more feed per lb. of gain. Between weights of 125 to 200 lb., the pigs fed the low protein ration with 1.0 percent urea added consumed 6.8 percent more feed daily than the pigs fed the low protein ration. However, live weight gains were the same for both rations and the urea-fed pigs required approximately 10 percent more feed per lb. of gain. There was no clinical evidence of toxicity at any time in any of the pigs fed urea.

The pigs fed the normal protein ration, 14.5 percent from weaning to 125 lb. and 10.6 percent from 125 to 200 lb. average weight, ate approximately 7.5 percent more feed daily, gained about 16 percent more per head daily and required 5 percent less feed per lb. of gain than the pigs fed the low protein control ration.

¹ Paper No. 3205—Scientific Journal Series of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station.

² Urea feed supplement was donated by E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company through the courtesy of Sidney F. Taylor. Antibiotic and vitamin supplements were donated by Lederle Laboratories, through the courtesy of Dr. R. F. Elliot. Acknowledgment is due Dr. M. O. Schultze, Department of Agricultural Biochemistry, for the crude protein analyses and for suggestions regarding the manuscript. Glen Swartz and associates fed and cared for the pigs.