DIGESTIBILITY OF EXTRUDED SEMI-WHOLE SOYBEAN FOR PIGLETS IN THE INITIAL PHASE

Two assays were conducted to determine the digestibility coefficients (DC) and the digestible nutrients (DN) of the extruded semi-whole soybean (Assay 1 - conventional feeding and Assay 2 - feeding for sows, starting at 109 days of pregnancy and during the lactation and for lactating piglets and piglets in the initial phase, with rations without soybean meal). Each assay was divided into two phases (32 and 50 days of age). Eight piglets weaned at 25 days of age were used. Total feces collection method was used. The following variables were analyzed in feed and in feces: dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber and gross energy. The following average values were obtained: DCDM - 88.87%; DCCP 86.81%; DCEE - 85.41%; DCCF - 78.22%; DCGE 80.21% and MCDE - 95.71%, which allowed the calculation of the digestible nutrients: DDM - 81.28%; DP - 34.49%; DEE - 14.02%; DF - 4.49%; DEa - 4087.86 kcal/kg and MEa - 3912.73 kcal/kg. The different coefficients of digestibility were not affected by the differential feeding for sows and piglets or by the different ages of the animals. Moreover, the extruded semi-whole soybean presented good levels of DN, concerning mainly the digestible and metabolizable energy.