3.1. Experiment 1
There was a linear improvement (P b0.01) in feed
conversion ratio (FCR) of weaner pigs between days 0 and
48 as the level of phytase in the diet increased (Table 2). The
phytase inclusion level in the diet during the weaner stage
had no effect on finisher pig performance or carcass
characteristics when slaughtered at 100 kg BW.
During the weaner stage, there were linear increases in
bone ash (Pb0.01), Ca (Pb0.01) and P (Pb0.05) concentration
and bone density (Pb0.001) as the level of phytase in the
diet increased (Table 3). There were quadratic responses
(Pb0.001) in bone ash, Ca and P concentration in pigs
slaughtered at 100 kg BW with maximum response achieved
when the diet containing 1000 FTU phytase/kg was offered
during the weaner stage.