EFFECT OF DIETARY FIBER LEVEL ON AMINO-ACID DIGESTIBILITY IN YOUNG-PIGS

Studies were carried out with 12 pigs (Yorkshire x Landrace) to determ ine the effect of dietary fibre level on amino acid digestibility. The pigs were weaned at 21 d of age and fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum at 23 or 24 d of age. The pigs were fed four isonitr ogenous com starch-based soybean meal diets (22.5 % crude protein) con taining 4.3, 7.3, 10.3 and 13.3 % Solkafloc according to a balanced tw o-period change-over design. The pigs were fed four times daily, equal amounts, at 6-h intervals. The diets were supplied at a rate of 5 % o f the average body weight which was determined at the initiation of th e first (8.8 kg) and second (11.7 kg) experimental period. Each experi mental period comprised 10 d. Feces were collected for 48 h OR days 6 and 7 and ileal digesta for 24 h during days 8, 9 and 10. Chromic oxid e was used as digestibility marker. The dietary inclusion of Solkafloc , up to 13.3 %, did not affect (P > 0.05) the apparent ileal as well a s the fecal digestibilities of crude protein and amino acids. In concl usion, starter pigs can tolerate up to 13.3 % Solkafloc, equivalent to 16.8 % neutral-detergent fibre, in com starch-based soybean meal diet s without a depression in amino acid digestibility.