Effect of dietary protein intakes and flavoring mixture on the performance of early weaned pigs

In 2 experiments 48 pigs weaned at 11 days were placed in a controlled-environment room and given a diet with 26 or 34% protein supplied by soya bean oilmeal without or with a flavouring mixture from 11 to 25 days. Beginning on day 26, to day 39, the pigs were fed on a standard diet with 26% protein. Total gain and feed utilization in pigs originally fed on the diets with 26 and 34% protein did not differ. A pattern of higher gains existed in pigs based on intakes of first limiting sulphur amino acids. There was a linear relation between gain and first limiting sulphur amino acid intake. The pattern of rate of gain did not change after 25 days of age. Gains were responsive to amino acid intake. The flavouring mixture did not increase feed intake.