Three crude protein levels were compared with weaning piglets (29 days of age), in the period from 0 to 15 days post-weaning. The treatments compared were: T1- control diet, 20% crude protein (CP); T2 - 18% CP diet; T3 - 16% CP diet. Diets were isolisinic, containing 1,15% total lysine. During the weanling phase a pre-starter diet was fed to all piglets, from seventh day of age. An 18% CP diet was fed to all piglets, from 16 to 36 days post-weaning. The reduction of CP level in the diet to 18% or 16% did not affect (P>0,10) the performance of piglets in any of the studied periods and it decreased (P<0,01) the incidence and severity of diarrhea. It was concluded that the reduction in the crude protein level and in the proportion of soybean meal on the diet for piglets weaned at 29 days, fortified with lysine, fed for 15 days post-weaning, decrease the incidence and severity of diarrhea, and not decrease the performance.
diarrhea; nutrition
