Influence of phased restriction of energy-protein on growth performance, nutrient utilization in cross-bred pigs

In a completely randomized design, 24 (LWY x Desi) cross-bred pigs (15.88kg± 1.07) were made into 4 groups to contain 6 males in each group. A basal diet was fed to all the animals. Groups 1 had adlib access to feed (AL) and groups 2, 3 and 4 had feed restriction (FR) upto 10, 20 and 30 percent, respectively. Nutrient digestibility, growth performance and carcass traits were studied. During growth phase the digestibility of DM, OM and CP were higher (P< 0.01) for AL fed pigs compared to FR group and during the finisher phase none were found significant. Average daily gain (g) during grower phase and average daily feed intake (kg) during finisher phase were found to be significant (P< 0.05). It could be concluded that quantitative restriction of energy and protein could be practiced without affecting the production indices with a non-significant change in feed/kg gain and cost of feed per kg gain.