Assessment of Dietary Forage Inclusion on Growth Performance, Fecal Microbes, and Body Temperature in Growing Pigs
Student: Toluwalase James Ibiyomi (Project, 2025)
Department of Animal Production
University of Ilorin, Kwara State
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of dietary inclusion of four locally available forages—Tridax procumbens, Calotropis procera, Sida acuta, and Acmella radicans—on the performance, fecal microbial population, and body temperature of growing pigs. Twenty pigs with an initial average weight of 23.6 kg were allotted to five treatment groups in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), with four pigs per treatment. The treatments consisted of a control (basal diet only) and four forage-supplemented diets at a basal-to-forage ratio of 1:2. Data collected included growth performance indices (total feed intake, body weight gain, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio), fecal microbial load (total heterotrophic count, fecal coliform count, and E. coli population), and skin and rectal temperatures. Results showed significant (p
Keywords
For the full publication, please contact the author directly at: toluwalaseibiyomi@gmail.com
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Institutions
- UMA UKPAI SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY, UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE (AFFL TO UNIVERSITY OF UYO) 1
- Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic, Sokoto, Sokoto State 24
- Umaru Musa Yaradua University, Katsina, Katsina State 28
- Umca, Ilorin (Affiliated To University of Ibadan), Kwara State 1
- University of Abuja, Abuja, Fct 116
- University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State 4
- University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State 362
- University of Calabar Teaching Hospital School of Health Information Mgt. 1
- University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State 239
- University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State 14