IWEGBU Abraham
Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture
iwegbuabraham89@gmail.com
Feeding trial was conducted for 8-weeks, to evaluated the effect of graded levels of Chromolaena odorata (Siam weed) leaf meal supplement (COLMS) on growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, and carcass characteristics of growing pigs. Thirty-two Large White growing pigs (mean initial weight: 20.84 ± 1.00 kg) distributed into four treatments in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). COLMS replaced soybean meal at control (0g soybean), diet2 (50g soybean), diet3 (100 g soybean), and diet4 per kilogram of diet (150gsoybean), with each treatment replicated four times (two pigs per replicate). Growth performance indices were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range test (p < 0.05). Mean final live weight and total live weight gain were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in diets 3 (100g) and 4 (150g) compared to control and diet 2. Weekly weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were not significant (p > 0.05). Apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ash, and nitrogen-free extracts differed significantly (p < 0.05) across treatments, while ether extract digestibility was non-significant. Carcass parameters including live weight, dressing percentage, bled, dehaired, and eviscerated weights were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced. Siam weed leaf meal supplementation at 100–150 g/kg diet partial replacement for soybean meal enhanced growth performance, nutrient utilization, and carcass yields of growing pigs. Incorporation of COLMS into swine rations holds promise as a cost-effective strategy to reduce dependence on expensive conventional feed