• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제16권11호
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• pp.1572-1576
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• 2003

A growth trial of 180 days was conducted on 18 crossbred calves (6-9 months, $73.48{\pm}6.52kg)$ by randomly allotting to two complete diets and a conventional diet (6 in each group). The complete diets were formulated containing 40 per cent cotton straw, one processed in mash form and other subjected to expander-extruder pelletization (EEP). These two complete diets were compared with conventional system of feeding under which concentrate mixture and cotton straw were fed separately in a 60:40 ratio. The calves on EEP complete diet consumed more (p<0.01) DM in comparison to other two groups. The DMI per 100 kg body weight was similar among all the diets. The ADG was significantly (p<0.01) higher in calves fed EEP complete diets (815.4 g) followed by mash (627.0 g) in comparison to conventional diet (464.9 g). The DM intake per kg metabolic body weight was higher (p<0.01) on complete diet than conventional diet. The intakes of DCP (p<0.05), TDN (p<0.01), and ME (p<0.01) per kg metabolic body weight were significantly higher on EEP complete diet in comparison to mash and conventional diet. The water intake per kg DM intake was comparable among all the diets. The efficiency of DM utilisation was higher p (<0.05) on EEP complete diet (5.84) in comparison to conventional diet (7.41), whereas on mash diet it was intermediate (6.68). The efficiency of DCP utilization was similar in mash and EEP complete diet fed groups, which was higher (p<0.05) than that of the conventional diet. Expander-extrusion though increased the cost of production it reduced the cost of feed per unit live weight gain by 12.28% in comparison to its mash form and by 16.76% when concentrate and cotton straw were fed separately. The results indicated that blending of cotton straw along with concentrates in a complete diet increased the palatability of the straw in comparison to conventional system and expander extruder processing of cotton straw based complete diet gave better growth performance and may form an economic ration for growing crossbred calves.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제16권11호
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• pp.1666-1672
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• 2003

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of an alumninosilicate clay, marketed under the trade name Biotite V, to improve growing-finishing pig performance and to determine its effects on nutrient digestibility and excretion. Sixty crossbred pigs (22.3${\pm}2.7kg$, Camborough 15 Line female${\times}$Canabred sire) were assigned on the basis of sex, weight and litter to one of four dietary treatments in a $2{\times}4$ (two sexes and four treatments) factorial design experiment. The experimental diets were based on barley and soybean meal and contained 0, 0.25, 0.5 or 0.75% biotite during the growing period (22.3-60.5 kg) and 0, 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5% biotite during the finishing period (60.5-110.3 kg). Each pig was allowed access to its own individual feeder for 30 min twice daily (07:00 and 15:00 h). Individual pig body weight, feed consumption and feed conversion were recorded weekly. The pigs were slaughtered at a commercial abattoir when they reached an average weight of 110.3 kg. Carcass weight was recorded and dressing percentage calculated. Carcass fat and lean measurements were obtained with a Destron PG 100 probe between the 3rd and 4th last ribs, 70 mm of the midline. Total tract digestibility coefficients for dry matter, energy, nitrogen and phosphorus were determined using three males and three females per treatment starting at an average weight of $52.2{\pm}3.8kg$. These pigs were housed under identical conditions as those used in the growing stage and were fed the same diets modified only by the addition of 0.5% chromic oxide as a digestibility marker. Over the entire experimental period (22.3-110.3 kg), daily gain was unaffected (p>0.05) by the inclusion of biotite in the diet. There was a cubic response for feed intake (p=0.06) and a quadratic response (p=0.07) for feed conversion due to biotite. Feeding biotite produced no significant (p>0.05) linear or quadratic effects on any of the carcass traits measured. Dry matter digestibility decreased linearly (p=0.02) with increasing levels of biotite in the diet. However, digestibility coefficients for energy, nitrogen and phosphorus were unaffected (p<0.05) by biotite inclusion. Lactobacilli and enterobacteria numbers were unaffected by inclusion of biotite while Salmonella was not detected in any of the fecal samples. The overall results of this experiment indicate that biotite inclusion did not reduce fecal excretion of nitrogen or phosphorus and failed to improve nutrient digestibility. Neither growth rate nor carcass quality was improved while a modest improvement in feed conversion was observed at lower levels of inclusion. Based on the results of this experiment, it would be difficult to justify the routine inclusion of biotite in diets fed to grower-finisher pigs. Whether or not a greater response would have been obtained with pigs of a lower health status is unknown.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제16권11호
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• pp.1650-1655
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• 2003

Crossbred gilts (n=54) of about $26.38{\pm}0.85kg$ body weight and 25 weeks of age were randomly divided into 18 groups of 3 animals each. Three dietary treatments viz., $T_1$, $T_2$ and $T_3$ were formulated. The treatment $T_1$ containing maize grain (35%) and wheat bran (47%) along with soybean meal and fish meals served as control diet. Rice bran (RB) was selected as a single source of fat (13.02%) and fibre (17.12%), which was gradually increased in diets $T_2$ (41%) and $T_3$ (82%) replacing maize grain and wheat bran of $T_1$ at 50% and 100% in the diets $T_2$ and $T_3$, respectively. The fat and fibre levels of the diets were thus 3.46 and 5.24, 9.31and 9.69 and 11.61and 13.26% in $T_1$, $T_2$ and $T_3$, respectively. All the diets, however, contained almost similar concentration of CP (18.35${\pm}0.29%$). Each dietary treatment was offered to six replicated groups of 3 piglets in following completely randomized design and feeding was continued for 112 days during the growing phase. Growth, feed utilization, reproductive performance, nutrient utilization and different blood biochemical parameters were studied. Growth rate, feed intake and feed conversion were lower (p<0.01) in $T_3$ in comparison to $T_1$ or $T_2$. Digestibility of all the nutrients except EE was reduced significantly (p<0.01) in $T_3$. Serum glucose level decreased (p<0.01), whereas the urea and cholesterol concentration in the blood increased (p<0.01) in $T_3$. The duration of estrus of pigs fed diet containing 82% RB ($T_3$) was highly variable within the group, but all the groups showed statistically similar duration of estrous. Feed cost per unit gain was found to be comparable between control ($T_1$) and $T_2$ group. The results indicated that RB can be included up to 41% in swine diets replacing 50% of maize and wheat bran. Higher concentrations of ether extract and fibre beyond 9.31 and 9.69% in diet had detrimental effect on growth, nutrient utilization and reproductive performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제18권12호
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• pp.1761-1768
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• 2005

Effects of alpha-galactosidase (GAL) on broiler corn-soybean meal diet was investigated. In experiment 1, sixty cockerels were allocated to five groups, including three enzyme treatments (GAL added at 0, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg diet), a nitrogen-free diet group and a fast group. The true nitrogen-corrected ME (TME$_n$) and true amino acid availability were determined. In experiment 2, 324 day-old chicks were used in a 2${\times}$3 factorial design consisting of two energy contents (high and low) and three GAL levels (0, 250, and 500 mg/kg). Three feeding phases, comprising 0-21 d, 22-35 d and 36-48 d, were involved. GAL addition improved TME$_n$ and the availability of methionine and cystine (p<0.05). The apparent ME (AME) or nitrogen-corrected AME (AME$_n$) and digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, calcium, and phosphorus were improved significantly on d 21, so was crude protein and an interaction of energy and GAL on AME$_n$ (p<0.05) was found on d 35. However, daily intake and daily gain were significantly improved with GAL addition (p<0.05) during 21 d. The small intestine relative weight decreased at 250 mg/kg GAL (p<0.05) on d 35, whereas presented an interaction between GAL and energy on d 21 (p<0.05). Likewise, this treatment increased breast muscle ratio (p<0.05). On d 21, triglycerides level of broilers showed interaction between energy and enzyme levels (p<0.05). Uric acid level in 500 mg/kg GAL declined linearly (p<0.05). On d 35, quadratic effects (p<0.05) were observed in total protein, albumin, globulin and cholesterol content for enzyme supplementation. And the interactive effects of energy and GAL on serum values showed more obviously. The study implies that GAL improved energy and nutrient availability of corn-soybean meal diet in broiler. The GAL supplementation to corn-soybean meal based diet can improve performance of broilers in early stages of growth.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제16권10호
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• pp.1501-1509
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• 2003

The simultaneous addition of xylanase (5,600 EXU/kg) and phytase (500 FTU/kg) feed enzymes to wheat-based broiler diets was investigated. Starter, grower and finisher diets, with three tiers of nutrient specifications, were fed to 1,440 broiler chicks kept on deep litter from 1-42 days post-hatch, without and with xylanase plus phytase, to determine the effects of diet type and enzyme supplementation on growth performance. The nutrient specifications of type A diets were standard; energy density and protein/amino acid levels were reduced on a least-cost basis to formulate type B diets and further reduced to type C diets. Phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) levels were adjusted in supplemented diets. From 1-42 days post-hatch, diet type significantly influenced growth performance. Birds on type C diets had lower growth rates (2,429 vs. 2,631 g/bird; p<0.001), higher feed intakes (4,753 vs. 4,534 g/bird; p<0.005) and less efficient feed conversion (1.96 vs. 1.72; p<0.001) than birds offered type A diets. Enzyme supplementation increased growth rates by 3.2% (2,580 vs. 2,501 g/bird; p<0.005) and improved feed efficiency by 2.7% (1.80 vs. 1.85; p<0.05) over the entire feeding period. There were no interactions between diet type and enzyme supplementation. At 21 days, 5 out of 30 birds per pen were transferred to cages to ascertain treatment effect on apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and nitrogen (N) retention. Xylanase plus phytase enhanced AME (13.48 to 13.91 MJ/kg DM; p<0.001) and N retention (56.3 to 59.7%; p<0.005). Carcass and breast weights of the caged birds were determined following commercial processing. Diet type significantly influenced breast weight, carcass weight and yield. Birds offered Type A diets, in comparison to Type C diets, supported heavier breast (467 vs. 424 g; p<0.001) and carcass weights (1,868 vs. 1,699 g; p<0.001) with superior carcass yields (71.8 vs. 70.6%; p<0.005). Enzyme addition increased carcass weight by 3.9% (1,752 vs. 1,821 g; p<0.005) and breast weight by 5.8% (431 vs. 456 g; p<0.01) without influencing yields. Feed ingredient costs per kg live weight gain and per kg carcass weight indicated that enzyme addition was economically feasible, where supplementation of Type A diets generated the most effective results. Importantly, soluble and total non-starch polysaccharide and phytate contents of the wheat used were typical by local standards. This study confirms the potential of supplementing wheat-based broiler diets with xylanase plus phytase but further investigations are required to define the most appropriate inclusion rates and dietary nutrient specifications in this context.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제16권10호
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• pp.1469-1474
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• 2003

Twenty four weaner lambs, eight each of Marwari, Patanwadi and Merino${\times}$Patanwadi breeds (9.9 to 10.8 kg) were randomly divided into two dietary treatments on body weight basis Viz. $T_1$-conventional (Maize-38%, GN Cake-25%, Rice Polish-24%, Jaggery solution-10%, Mineral mixture-3%) and $T_2$-supplemented non conventional group (GN Cake-25%, Rice Polish-14%, Mango seed kernel-25%, Babul Pods chuni-23%, Jaggery solution-10%, Mineral mixture-3%). The Jaggery solution was prepared by mixing 6.5 kg Jaggery and 3.5 kg water. The average final body weight at the end of the experiment was recorded to be $19.33{\pm}0.76$ and $19.72{\pm}0.8kg$ in conventional and non-conventional groups, respectively. The total dry matter intake (DMI) during the entire experiment period was recorded to be $89.56{\pm}5.19$ and $95.08{\pm}1.06$ (kg/head) and $532.83{\pm}9.94$ and $566.75{\pm}10.49g/d$ in conventional and nonconventional groups, respectively. The body weight gain and body measurements did not influenced by diet. The ration effect was found to be significant when the DMI was expressed in terms of g/d. The crude protein (CP) and digestible crude protein (DCP) intake/head and per kg gain observed during experiment under conventional and non-conventional treatment group did not differ from each other. However, the total digestible nutrients (TDN) intake per kg gain was significantly (p<0.05) higher in supplemented non-conventional group. The intake values of DCP and TDN were more or less in agreement with Indian Council Agricultural Research (1985) recommendations. The estimated total feed cost (Rs./animal) for experimental lambs was $274.16{\pm}8.57$ and $242.67{\pm}5.10$ in conventional and non- group, respectively. The non-conventional group had significantly (p<0.05) lower feed cost (11.6%). The return as percent of feed cost and feed cost/kg dressed weight were $92.89{\pm}5.58$ (%) and Rs. $35.40{\pm}1.11$ and $122.61{\pm}5.06$ (%) and Rs.$30.47{\pm}1.71$ in conventional and non-conventional group (p<0.05), respectively which is the reflection of significantly lower total feed cost incurred during feeding in non-conventional group. Lambs fed non-conventional based diet had similar live weights as those fed conventional diets but costed less money to achieve those weights.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.565-572
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• 1999

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of conditioning (conventional vs expander) corn- and sorghum-based diets on production traits for lactating sows and finishing pigs. In Exp. 1, one hundred sixty-eight sows (parity 1-4, PIC line C15) were fed the corn or sorghum grain diets as a meal, standard (steam) conditioned pellets, or expanded pellets to give a $2{\times}3$ factorial arrangement of treatments. Pellet durability index (PDD was similar for the sorghum- vs corn-based diets, but increased when diets were expanded pellets for both corn- and sorghum-based diets. The corn-based meal diet supported 3.3% greater litter weight gain than the sorghum-based meal diet (44.0 kg vs 42.8 kg). However, the advantage for the corn-based diet disappeared with expander processing (ie., sows fed the sorghum-based diet responded more to diets processed with the alternative processing technology). Sow weight change during lactation was similar (p>0.15) among treatments, although average daily feed intake tended to be greater (p<0.09) for the sows fed sorghum. For Exp. 2, a total of 71 barrows (average initial weight of 58.0 kg) were used in a growth assay to determine the effects of feeding com- and sorghum-based diets, as meal or pellets, after processing with a conventional steam conditioner or an expander (high-shear) conditioner. PDI was not different for the sorghum- vs corn-based diets, but increased from 84 to 95% with expander conditioning compared to conventional steam conditioning. Rate and efficiency of gain, and carcass leanness were similar for pigs fed sorghum and corn (p>0.15). Efficiency of gain was greater (p<0.04) for pigs fed the pelleted (356 g/kg) diets compared to those given the meal (348 g/kg) diets. However, efficiencies of gain were similar (p>0.11) for pigs fed the conventional- and expander-conditioned diets. Pelleting increased (p<0.01) the incidence and severity of stomach lesions regardless of grain type. In conclusion, corn-based meal diet resulted in a greater litter weight gain than the sorghum-based meal diet. However, that advantage disappeared when the diets were expanded and pelleted. Finishing pigs fed pelleted diets were more efficient than those fed meal diets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제11권5호
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• pp.597-607
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• 1998

Processing is generally employed to alter the physical and chemical properties of feeds used in pig diets, using hammer/roller mills, pellet mills and extruders/expanders. The reported optimum particle sizes of corn are approximately $500{\mu}m$, $500-700{\mu}m$, $400-600{\mu}m$, for nursery, growing-finishing, and breeder pigs respectively. Optimum particle size of grains are affected by diet complexity. There was a trend towards reducing particle size in order to increase ADG in pigs fed a simple diet, though such was not the case for pigs fed a complex diet. Uniformity of particle size also affects the nutritional values of swine feeds. Uniform particle sizes would consistently give greater nutrient digestibilities. In terms of pellet quality, it is reported that a higher incidence of fmes in pelleted feeds has a direct correlation with poorer feed conversion ratio in pigs. Particle and pellet sizes are also very important for pelleting in terms of grinding, digestibility, stomach ulceration and pellet durability. A particle size of $600{\mu}m$, or slightly less, seemed optimal for com in fmishing pigs, and the 5/32 in. diameter pellets supported the best efficiencies of gain during nursery and finishing phases. Extruder and/or expander processes would allow the feed industry an increased flexibility to utilize a wider spectrum of feed ingredients, and improve pellet quality of finished feeds. It would appear that extruded or expanded diets containing highly digestible ingredients have little effect on the growth performance of pigs, and the feeding values of the feeds over pelleted diets were not improved as pigs grew. The extruder or expander is much more effective than a pelletizer in salmonella control. Gastric ulcerations and/or keratinizations were consistently reported in pigs fed mash and processed diets containing finely ground grains, whereas carcass quality was not affected by diet processing methods such as pelleting, extruding or expanding. In corn- or sorghum-based diets, the electrical energy consumption is 4-5 times higher in the expanding than in the pelleting process. But the expander's processing cost was half of that shown by an extruder. Finally, the decision of which feed processing technology to adopt would depend on the processing cost, and any potential improvement in growth performance and digestibilities of nutrients should offset the increased operating and capital costs related to the extruder/expander technology over mash or pelleting processes in pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제16권7호
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• pp.968-978
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• 2003

The effects of monensin, Tween 80 and exogenous fibrolytic enzymes on ruminal fermentation and animal performance were studied in vitro and in vivo. In Expt 1, the effects of the surfactant Tween 80 (0.2% wt/wt, DM basis) on ruminal fermentation of alfalfa, corn and orchardgrass silages were investigated using in vitro gas production techniques. Tween 80 did not affect (p>0.05) cumulative gas production at 24 h, but it reduced (p<0.05) the lag in fermentation of all three silages. With corn silage and orchardgrass silage, gas production rates and concentrations of total volatile fatty acids (VFA) were increased (p<0.05) by Tween 80; with alfalfa silage, they were reduced (p<0.05). Tween 80 increased (p<0.05) the proportion of propionate in total VFA, and reduced (p<0.05) acetate to propionate ratios (A:P) with all three silages. In Expt 2, exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (E; at 0, 37.5 or 75 g/tonne DM), monensin (M; at 0 or 25 ppm and Tween 80 (T; at 0 or 2 L/tonne DM) were added alone or in combination to backgrounding and finishing diets fed to 320 crossbred steers in a feeding trial with a $3{\times}2{\times}$2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The backgrounding and finishing diets contained barley grain and barley silage in ratios of 57.8:42.2 and 93.5:6.5 (DM basis), respectively. Added alone, none of the additives affected DM intake (p>0.1) in the backgrounding or in the finishing period, but interactive $M{\times}T$ effects were observed in the finishing period (p=0.02) and overall (p=0.04). In the finishing period, T without M tended to reduce DM intake (p=0.11), but T with M increased (p=0.05) DM intake. Monensin increased average daily gain (ADG) during backgrounding (p=0.07) and finishing (p=0.01), and this ionophore also improved overall feed efficiency (p=0.02). Warm carcass weight was increased (p<0.001) by M, but dressing percentage was reduced (p=0.07). In the backgrounding period, T increased ADG by 7% (p=0.06). Enzymes increased (p=0.07) ADG by 5 and 6% (low and high application rates, respectively) during backgrounding, but did not affect (p>0.10) ADG during finishing, or overall feed efficiency. Whereas T enhanced the positive effects of M on ADG during backgrounding (p=0.04) and overall (p=0.05), it had no impact (p>0.1) on the effects of E. Interactions between M and T suggest that the surfactant may have potential for enhancing the positive effects of monensin on beef production, but this requires further research.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.170-177
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• 1997

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of different extrusion conditions of corn and soybean meal on physico-chemical properties, ileal digestibility of amino acid and growth performance in weaned pigs. In Expt. 1, to compare physico-chemical properties and ileal digestibility of extruded corn and soybean meal, ground corn (2 mm screen) and soybean meal were separately extruded in four different conditions: (1) no preconditioning, low water supply (3.0 l/min) (NCLW), (2) no preconditioning, high water supply (7.0 l/min) (NCHW). (3) preconditioning (steam 3.0 l/min) with low water supply (3.0 l/min) (CLW), and (4) preconditioning (steam 3.0 l/min) plus high water supply (7.0 l/min) (CHW). Twenty-five cannulated pigs ($L{\times}Y{\times}D$, 7.62 kg BW for soybean meal, 8.80 kg BW for corn) were employed to determine nutrients digestibility of the extruded feedstuffs. In Expt. 2, a total of 90 pogs ($L{\times}Y{\times}D$, 9.18 kg BW) were used for a 28 d feeding trial to compare growth performance of pigs as affected by different extrusion conditions. Before mixing, corn and soybean meal were blended and extruded by the same conditions as described in Expt. 1. corn extruded with NCLW showed the highest (p < 0.05) degree of gelatinization (DG), compared to the lowest values observed for NCHW. Extrusion of corn with preconditioning (CLW and CHW) increased (p < 0.05) the DG as compared to the extrusion condition of NCHW. Extruded SBM with NCLW showed the lowest (p < 0.05) degree of texturization among treatments. The ileal digestibility of GE in SBM was higher with NCHW and CHW as compared to NCLW. The ileal digestibility of CP was lower in extruded corn, but was higher in extruded SBM, compared to untreated sample. Lysine digestibility of extruded corn (except corn with NCHW) was in general significantly improved. Extrusion of SBM resulted in no improvements in ileal digestibility of amino acids, but extruded SBM with NCLW had lower lysine digestibility compared to other treatments. In growth responses, pigs fed a diet with CLW had higher, but not significant, average daily gain (ADG) than other treatments during first 2 weeks. From d 15 to 28, pigs fed a diet with CHW had significantly less (p < 0.05) average daily feed intake (ADFI) than others except NCHW. In conclusion, the proper extrusion condition for corn and SBM in terms of ileal digestibility of amino acids and growth performance of weaning pigs seems to be the combination of preconditioning and a low water supply (3.0 l/min).