The amount of antibiotic generally recommended in swine-fattening
rations is 5 mg. per pound of total feed consumed. Some workers have
felt that higher levels might produce more rapid and economical gains.
One purpose of this test was to compare results with 5 and 20 mg. of
aureomycin per pound of complete feed
Elodea canadensis is a plant which grows in fresh-water lakes and
ponds. Upon dehydration and grinding, it looks about the same as
dehydrated alfalfa meal. The second purpose of this experiment was
to compare the value of dehydrated alfalfa and Elodea canadensis
meals in swine-fattening rations. Table 30 gives the chemical analysis of the Elodea canadensis meal used.
Sixteen weanling pigs were divided as equally as possible into lots
of four pigs each on the basis of weight, sex, and breed. The pigs
were fed a complete ration, shown in Table 31. It contained about
18 percent protein and was fed till the pigs reached approximately
75 pounds body weight. The protein level of the ration was 15 percent
from 75 to approximately 125 pounds body weight. It was then lowered
to 12 percent protein for the remainder of the experiment. Adjustments
in protein were made by adding corn and removing part
of the tankage and soybean meal. Aureomycin was added in the form
of Aurofac 2A. Elodea canadensis was substituted for equal amounts
of alfalfa meal. Water was available at all times.
