Energy for Maintenance vs. Growth

Dietary energy is utilized for maintenance and growth. Maintenance energy requirements are the amount of energy needed for basal metabolic functions and to maintain body weight (Velayudhan et al., 2015). Under normal growing conditions, after maintenance needs are met, pigs will prioritize lean tissue deposition and then direct nutrients towards fat deposition (Bikker et al., 1996). Therefore, a relationship exists between energy supply above maintenance requirements and protein and fat deposition rates.

Fact Sheet: Protein and Fat Deposition