An assessment of the effect of feed freshness on intake and performance of suckling and weaned pigs

While there is little information in the literature on the effect of feed freshness on acceptability, feeds containing oxidised or rancid fats are thought to be unpalatable. Both free fatty acid level and peroxide level have been used as measures of fat quality and suitability for feeding especially to young animals. Neither is now considered a reliable predictor of animal performance (Carpenter, 1968). Connolly et al. (1970) found that pig performance was unaffected by high levels of peroxide in the diet or prolonged storage and concluded that it is doubtful if toxicity from lipid peroxides would arise in practical feeding. The aim of this study was the examine the effect of feed freshness on intake and growth of suckling and weaned pigs, using free fatty acid and peroxide levels as indicators of freshness.