The experiment was conducted to evaluate protein sources and levels in the initial diets, for piglets weaned at 21 days of age. The animals were allotted in a completely randomized design in a factorial 2 x 2 x 2, with type of diets ( dried whey and fish meal + lactose), levels of crude protein (20 and 24%) and piglet weight at weaning (<6,0 and > 6,0kg), in a total of 8 treatments and four replications each. In the experimental conditions, it can be concluded that among the protein sources tested, the performance of 21 day-age weaned piglets was better for the animals fed fish meal + lactose compared to dried whey. The level of 24% crude protein was more efficient, mainly in the fish meal + lactose diets. It was concluded that the type of diets studied did not influence the histologycal parameters and the villous height is a direct funcion of piglets weight.
dried whey; fish meal; lactose; piglets; protein levels
