A total of 50 barrows were used to evaluate qualitative feed restriction on digestibility of dietary components, weight of organs of digestive tract, and composition and production of feces. Five experimental diets, with increasing levels of qualitative feed restriction of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% were used. There was linear reduction (P<0.001) of all digestibility coefficients on the levels of qualitative feed restriction, except for acid detergent fiber, which presented a quadratic response (P<0.05). Contents of total solids (P<0.01), volatile solids (P<0.05), and total minerals (P<0.001) in the feces augmented with increasing levels of qualitative feed restriction, whereas the levels of K (P<0.05), Cu (P<0.01), N, P, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn (P<0.001) presented a quadratic response. Daily feces excretion; and contents of total solids, volatile solids, total minerals, and levels of N, P, K, Mn, and Cu (P<0.001) and Ca, Na, Mg, and Fe (P<0.05) presented a clear increase in function of the qualitative feed restriction level. Qualitative feed restriction can be an alternative for the disposal of agribusiness waste, providing good crop-fertilizing by the use of swine feces.
swine; fecal composition; energy dilution; mineral excretion; fermentable fiber; insoluble fiber
