Effects of phytogenic feed additives on mortality and growth performance of weaned piglets

Weaning is a stressful period in the life of pigs coming along with increased susceptibility to environmental and pathogenic challenges and resulting in decreased growth performance [1]. Phytogenic feed additives (PFA) have the potential to influence palatability of the feed and support health and well-being of animals [2]. Consequently, the current study aimed to evaluate the benefits of a PFA on growth-performance in piglets post-weaning.

A total of 192 piglets (each 96 m and f) weaned at day 23.4 ± 1.21 were distributed to 24 pens with 8 piglets. 12 pens each were randomly assigned to either an unsupplemented control (NC), or a diet supplemented with a PFA for a 35-day feeding trial. Body weight (BW) and feed intake were recorded after weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4. In group NC, 7 piglets died or had to be removed during the trial, whereas no piglets were removed in the PFA group. Withdrawn animals had low BW and were greatly affected the mean BW of NC compared to PFA. As a result, no significant difference on growth performance was observed, although PFA animals showed numerically higher ADG in each period (up to +6.8% from day 21-35). Considering mortality and numerically increased ADG, there was a tendency for increased total BW gain with the PFA compared to the NC (+11.4%, P=0.083).

In conclusion, the applied PFA was suitable to support the animals through the post-weaning period, resulting in decreased mortality and numerically improved BW gain.

• References

• 1 Pluske J, Hampson DJ. Factors influencing the structure and function of the small intestine in the weaned pig: a review. Livestock Prod Sci 1997; 51 215–236. DOI: 10.1016/S0301-6226(97)00057-2.
• 2 Yang C, Chowdhury MAK, Huo Y, Gong J. Phytogenic compounds as alternatives to in-feed antibiotics: potentials and challenges in application. Pathogens 2015; 4 (01) 137–156. DOI: 10.3390/pathogens4010137.