2.2. Animals and management
Twenty-eight finishing boars (7 replicates/dietary treatment) (progeny of Meat line boars×(Large White×Landrace
sows)) were blocked based on body-weight and assigned to one of four dietary treatments. Pigs were individually offered
ad libitum access to feed and water and remained on their respective experimental diets until slaughter. At cessation of a
14-day dietary adaption period, sixteen boars (4 replicates/dietary treatment) of a uniform body-weight (74.2 kg SD 3.6)
were selected and transferred to individual metabolism crates. The pigs were allocated a further five days to adapt to the
metabolism crates before collections commenced. The collection period was sub-divided into three parts to facilitate studies
on manure ammonia emissions (d 1–2), manure odour emissions (d 3–5) and CTTAD and nitrogen (N) balance (d 6–10). The
daily feed ration was offered over two meals. Fresh water was provided with meals in a 1:1 ratio and between meals was
provided ad libitum. Feed consumed and refused was measured and recorded. The metabolism crates were located in a
temperature-controlled room maintained at a constant temperature of 22 ◦C (±1.5 ◦C). Upon cessation of the collections
from the metabolism crates, the pigs were reunited with their pen-mates until slaughter.