Comparative Evaluation of Yam Peel Meal and Pumpkin Stem waste on the Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Growing Pigs

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the performance and carcass characteristics of growing pigs fed diets supplemented with pumpkin stew waste (PSW) and yam peel meal (YPM). Eighteen (18) crossbred pigs weighed ±26.25 kg were divided into three treatment groups of six (6) per group and replicated thrice with 2 pigs per replicate. The pigs were randomly allocated to three dietary treatment arranged as follows: T₁ (basal feed only), T₂ (basal feed + 10% PSW), T₃ (basal feed + 10% YPM). At the end of 56 days feeding trial, cost implication analysis was carried out. Carcass evaluation was carried out using six Pigs (2 per treatment) which were randomly selected. Results obtained indicated that pigs fed control diet recorded the lowest feed intake (P < 0.05) compared to pigs fed diets supplemented with pumpkin stem waste which recorded the highest significant (P < 0.05) feed intake followed by pigs fed yam peel meal based diet which was not significantly (P > 0.05) different from T₁ (Control). Similarly, a significant (P < 0.05) increase in daily weight gain was obtained in pigs fed PSW followed by those fed YPM and those fed Control diet. Final body weight indicated significant (P < 0.05) differences among the treatments with the highest recorded in T₃ and the lowest in T₁. However, feed conversion ratio, carcass characteristics and cost benefit analysis indicated no significant (P > 0.05) difference among the treatments. These results revealed that supplementing pig diets with kitchen waste such as yam peel meal and pumpkin stem waste could improve growth performance in pigs.