Comparison of 4 feeds given to piglets weaned at 28 days of age: do acid whey powder and extruded maize improve performance results

The inclusion of acid whey powder and extruded maize in weaning feeds was studied. A total of 347 piglets weaned at 28 days of age were used. The two feedstuffs were included separately and then simultaneously at the same inclusion level of 20 %. The control feed contained crude wheat and rapeseed oil to supply energy while, soybean meal and synthetic amino acids supplied protein. The level of net energy and dietary lysine per MJ of net energy were identical for the four experimental diets: 10.47 MJ EN/kg and 1.3 g digestible lysine/MJ EN. It was assumed that extrusion resulted in a 5% increase in the net energy value of maize compared to standard maize. Each piglet received 7 kg of the respective experimental diets. Thereafter, all the piglets received the same diet during the end of the post-weaning phase.There is no significant diet effect on feed efficiency. Scores for diarrhoea and piglet cleanliness were not differentially affected by dietary treatment. We observed a slight improvement in cleanliness for the control feed compared to the other diets. Average daily gain was significantly improved by the inclusion of acid whey powder compared to the control diet (+13.6 % during the distribution of the experimental feeds and +6.0 % over the whole post-weaning period).In contrast, the inclusion of extruded maize had no effect on average daily gain.