Effect of feeding cocoa husks on growth performance of pigs

Effects of 10% cocoa husks in a balanced concentrate diet on rate of gain a nd feed efficiency (kg feed/kg of body weight gain) were examined in 40 gro wing female pigs of the Polish Landrace (pbz) breed fed from 64 to 110 kg b odyweight. The cocoa husks contained a relatively high crude protein level (17%) and about 20% of crude fiber with a predominance of the NDF and ADF f ractions as well as relatively high amounts of cellulose. After 77 days of feeding, average daily gains were lower in pigs receiving concentrates cont aining cocoa husks compared to pigs of the control group. Also, adiposity d ecreased in pigs fed cocoa husks. Thus, cocoa husks should not be used in c oncentrate mixtures for intensively fed growing swine.