HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Palmer, W. M. Articles by Grifo, A. P. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Palmer, W. M. Articles by Grifo, A. P., Jr.

Effect of Whole Fish Meal on the Reproductive Performance of Swine^{1, 2,}

Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster³

Abstract

The effect of whole Menhaden fish meal (meal+solubles) on the reproductive performance of sows was measured. Fish meal was included in all-plant (corn-soybean meal) diets at a level of 6% for two successive reproductive cycles in two consecutive generations. In each cycle, 27 Duroc gilts were started on each of the two dietary treatments. Diets were formulated to provide the same intakes of crude protein, vitamins and minerals. Starch was used to increase energy intake on both dietary treatments during the second gestation period.

Fish meal significantly (P<.01) increased the average daily gain of gilts and sows during gestation and resulted in a significant (P<.05) increase of 0.9 more live pigs per litter at birth and non-significant increases of 0.7 and 0.6 pigs per litter at 2 and 6 weeks, respectively. Total litter weight was significantly (P<.01) greater at birth and at 2 weeks in litters from sows fed fish meal. Average daily gain during gestation, individual baby pig and total litter weight (both at birth and at 2 weeks), and lactation weight loss of the sows were all significantly (P<.01) greater in the second reproductive cycle, regardless of treatment or generation.

¹ Approved for publication as Journal Article No. 7-70 by the Associate Director of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.

² This research was supported by a grant from the U. S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. The chemical analyses conducted on the fish meal and rations by the Technological Laboratory Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, College Park, Maryland is also gratefully acknowledged.

³ Department of Animal Science.