Three-choice preferences for fermented sorghum teas (FST) were examined among 11 adult Ossabaw pigs. The objectives for experiments 1 and 2 (respectively) were to determine preference for: 1) one of three types of FST (white vs. sumac vs. roasted sumac), and 2) isocaloric control (+control; made isocaloric with sucrose), blended FST (3Tea; equal parts of white, sumac, and roasted-sumac), or a negative control (-control; distilled water; avoidance). Pigs were first conditioned to navigate a three-choice preference maze. For experiment 1, no clear preference behaviors for tea-type were observed. Pigs consumed nearly all the teas, but pigs consumed the least amount of tea in the first session. Pigs spent the most time with their heads in the bowl when 3Tea was offered, followed by +control, and the least time was -control. Regardless of tea-type, adult pigs show a strong preference for FST, even over +control, which was sweetened water. Adult pigs likely prefer the complexity of flavors, rather than the sweetness alone. Future projects that explore the health benefits of this sorghum formula will not be impeded by avoidance among adult pigs.
Biology and Life Sciences, Animal Science, Veterinary Science and Zoology
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