THE EFFECT OF A PURIFIED SOURCE OF CELLULOSE ON THE GROWTH AND BODY COMPOSITION OF GROWING PIGS

One hundred pigs were used in two experiments to determine the nutritive value of a purified source of cellulose (solka-floc) and its effect on body composition and iodine number of the loin fat. In each experiment one group of pigs received a basal ration ad libitum while levels of 10 and 40 per cent solka floe were added to the basal ration of two groups at 62 and 162 pounds liveweight, respectively. The pigs given solka-floc were fed ad libitum and the amounts of basal ration consumed were pair-fed to two respective control groups. There was a significant decrease (P <.01) in dressing percentage of pigs fed solka-floc. Feed efficiency, based on total feed (less solka-floc) per pound of gain, was better in the pair-fed controls reaching statistical significance (P <.05) in one experiment. There was no significant difference in the protein or fat content of the carcasses but the iodine number of the loin fat was significantly higher (P <.01) in pigs fed solka-floc. It was concluded that in growing pigs there is no net gain in energy from the consumption of cellulose.