Pigs that consume too much protein are likely to excrete excessive amounts of which nutrient?

When pigs consume protein in amounts that exceed their dietary needs, the excess protein is broken down by the body. During this process, the nitrogen component of the amino acids in the protein is converted into urea, which is then excreted in the urine. This means that pigs that are overfed with protein will end up excreting excessive amounts of nitrogen.

This nitrogen excretion is a crucial consideration in swine management because it can lead to environmental concerns, such as water pollution if manure containing high nitrogen levels is not managed properly. Understanding this process highlights the importance of formulating diets that meet but do not excessively exceed the protein needs of pigs, ensuring their health and reducing the environmental impact of livestock production.

The other nutrients mentioned, such as fat, carbohydrates, and calcium, are not primarily excreted in response to excess protein intake, thus making nitrogen the correct response in this context.