Influence of protein level, amino acid ratio and caloric density of the diet on feed intake and performance of pigs.

U N D E R conditions of ad libitum feeding, performance of swine is determined mainly by the voluntary feed consumption and the adequacy of nutrient levels in the diet. Recent emphasis has been on the establishment of optimum relationships between energy concentration and the levels of other nutrients in the diet. The relationship of source and concentration of dietary energy to level and quality of protein and the effect on voluntary feed intake of pigs has been somewhat neglected. This study was undertaken to determine the influence of protein level and amino acid ratio on voluntary feed intake of diets of varying caloric density.