THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT SOURCES AND LEVELS OF INCLUSION OF INDIGENOUS MICROORGANISMS ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE, DAYS-TO-FIRST-OESTRUS AND HAEMATOLOGICAL PROFILE IN CROSSBRED PIGS

Abstract This study investigated the effect of different sources and levels of inclusion of indigenous microorganisms (IMOs) on the growth performance, puberty attainment and hematology in crossbred pigs. The experimental design was 2 × 3 factorial arrangements of treatments in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The IMOs were cultivated using mixture of fruits and rice sources. A total of twenty-four (24) female weaner pigs (aged 10 weeks) with an average initial weight of 9.35 ± 0.23kg were randomly assigned to six (6) experimental treatments (4 pigs per treatment and 1 pig per replicate). Factor A was two sources of IMOs (fruit and rice) and factor B was levels of IMOs inclusion (0ml/L, 5ml/L and 10ml/L of IMOs) in a litre of water. The results showed that feed intake (inclusion levels and interaction), growth rate, body weight at first oestrous (sources and inclusion levels), feed efficiency and age at first oestrous (sources, inclusion levels and interaction) were significantly affected (p < 0.05). Results on the haematological profile showed higher (p < 0.05) mean concentrations of PCV, Hb, and RBC for gilts fed 10ml/L of Rice IMOs. The WBC count was not affected (p > 0.05) by levels of dietary IMOs inclusions. The study concluded that the incorporation of IMOs from fruit sources at 5ml/L concentration led to reduced feed intake, enhanced feed efficiency, lowered days-to-first-oestrus and improved health status in crossbred gilts.