In the third phase, the swelling capacity of the low
fibre diet was lower, but the WHC was higher than the high fibre
diet. In comparison with the first and second phase feed, the
WHC of the low fibre diets was rather high in the third phase feed.
Fine or coarse grinding did not affect swelling capacity or WHC.
Hardness values of the pellets were lower in the coarsely ground
compared to the finely ground diets, except for the high fibre diets
in the first and the second phase of growth (Table 3). The effect of
fine or coarse grinding on hardness was not entirely clear
Production characteristics and carcass quality
Average BW was 24.0 ± 1.6 kg at the start; 42.3 ± 1.9 kg and
72.7 ± 1.7 kg at the changeover to the second and the third feeding
phases, respectively, and 107.0 ± 2.8 kg the week before slaughter.
These averages did not differ between the groups. Pigs on the high
fibre diet lost more weight during fasting than pigs on the low fibre
diet (Table 4). There was a tendency (P = 0.063) to a higher lean
meat percentage on the high fibre diets (Table 4). Carcass yield
was higher in pigs fed the low fibre diets (P < 0.001).