Abstract:
A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of raw and differently processed pigeon pea seed
meal on the performance of weaner pigs. Five experimental diets were formulated containing
30% raw (RPBD), toasted (TPBD), boiled (BPBD), soaked (SPBD) pigeon pea seed meal and a
control without pigeon pea seed meal. Forty weaner pigs with an average weight of 7.40kg of
mixed breeds were randomly assigned to the five dietary treatments in a completely randomized
design (CRD). Each treatment group was replicated four times with two pigs per replicate.
Results showed that there were significant (P<0.05) differences in all the parameters evaluated
for growth performance. Final weight, total weight gain and average daily weight gain (ADWG)
were similar in weaner pigs fed control and BPBD diets and significantly (P<0.05) higher than
the other treatment diets. Total feed intake and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were
significantly (P<0.05) higher in pigs fed the control, RPBD and TPBD, while BPBD and TPBD
were similar. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was superior in control diet (2.21), BPBD (2.02) and
SBPD (2.20) while poorer FCR was observed in RBPD (3.03) and TPBD (2.63). Feed cost/kg
gain was lowest in BPBD (Naira 190.30 while the highest cost was recorded in TPBD (Naira 290.20).
Cost saving was higher in BPBD (Naira 20.80) compared to Naiara 5.20 in SBPD while RPBD and TPBD
did not exert any positive cost saving. It can therefore be concluded that 30% boiled pigeon pea
meal can be used to substitute maize in weaner pigs diets.
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