Growth Parameters, Economic Analysis and Blood Characteristics of Weaned Pigs Fed Cashew Reject Kernel Meal

Taiwo Ojediran

Opeyemi Oyebamiji

Evelyn Areo

Isiak Emiola

Abstract

Growth parameters, economic analysis and blood characteristics of weaned pigs fed graded levels of cashew reject kernel meal (CRKM) were studied in a 42 day trial. Forty (40) weaned pigs with mean weight of 8.67±0.99 kg were randomly assigned into four experimental diets such that Diets 1, 2, 3 and 4 contained 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% CRKM respectively. The chemical profile of CRKM showed 21.10% crude protein, 35.09% ether extract, 9.20% moisture, 6.83% crude fibre, 4.10% ash, 23.67% nitrogen fee extract, 11.69 MJ/kg metabolizable energy, 0.01% tannin, 0.26% saponin, 0.19% phytate, and 19.22 μg/kg ppm aflatoxin. The results showed that feed intake, economic indices, haematological parameters, and serum metabolites like alanine aminotransferase, asparatate aminotransferase, albumin and glucose were significantly influenced (p < 0.05). Conclusively, incorporation of up to 15% CRKM in weaned pigs’ diet favour growth performance, lowered feed cost, improved economic advantages and was not deleterious to the haematological and serum metabolites.