[Effect of a bran diet on the total passage rate and tract measurements in weanling swine].

88 piglets of a live weight of 9.5 kg were fed rations with 0, 2.1, 3.1 or 5.5% crude fibre over a period of 4 weeks in four groups, during which time the total passage rate per week and the volume of the tract segments on the 42nd and 63rd day of life were determined. After the weaning-conditioned constipation of all animals, the passage rates could be significantly raised from the first keeping week onwards by crude fibre admixtures in the shape of bran and thus reached the customary values of older animals in their fourth week of keeping. Crude fibre admixtures significantly increased the volume of the colon. The recommended content of crude fibre in the piglet starter feed is 5-6% in the shape of bran.