A comparison of defluorinated rock phosphate and dicalcium phosphate, in diets containing either skim milk powder or soya bean meal as the main protein supplement, for early-weaned pigs

Abstract

Thirty-six pigs were weaned at 21 days of age and were given diets supplemented with either dicalcium phosphate (DCP) or defluorinated rock phosphate (DFP) from 4 weeks of age until slaughter at 50 kg live weight. From 4 to 9 weeks of age the diets contained either skim milk powder (SKIM) or soya bean meal (SOY) as the main protein supplement. The dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design. From 9 weeks of age until slaughter, SOY was the only protein supplement used. Four 7-day measurements of phosphorus, calcium and nitrogen balance were made on each pig. Faecal endogenous P was estimated in two pigs per treatment by the32P dilution method.