Abstract
A total of 1,080 mixed sex growing-finishing pigs (337 × 1050, PIC; initially 28.7 ±0.39 kg) were used in a 123-d growth trial to determine the effects of vitamin concentrations on finishing pig growth performance and carcass characteristics. Pens of pigs were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments in a completely randomized design. There were 20 replicate pens/treatment and 27 pigs/pen. The experimental diets were corn-soybean meal-based and were fed in 4 phases from 28 to 50, 50 to 73, 73 to 100 and 100 to 133 kg. Pigs were fed 1 of 2 levels of a vitamin premix (control and high) that contained: 1,653,468 IU vitamin A acetate; 661,387 IU vitamin D, vitamin E (17,637 mg dl-α-tocopheryl acetate), 1,323 mg vitamin K (menadione), 13.2 mg vitamin B₁₂, 19,842 mg niacin, 11,023 mg pantothenic acid, and 3,307 mg riboflavin per kg. The amount per phase was 1.36, 1.13, 0.91 and 0.07%, respectively, for the control with the added amount doubled for the high vitamin fortification. Overall, (day 0 to 123), there was no evidence for difference (P > 0.10) in ADG, ADFI and G:F. Also, no statistical difference was found (P > 0.10) for final BW, HCW or any carcass characteristic. In conclusion, the level of vitamins used in this study did not influence growth and carcass traits in finishing pigs.
Keywords: carcass, finishing pigs, growth, vitamin