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Implementing drinking water feed additive strategies in post-weaning piglets, antibiotic reduction and performance
Juan Antonio Mesonero Escuredo1, Yvonne van der Horst2, John Carr3
1Resident European College of Porcine Health Management, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
Porcine Health Management
|April 14, 2017
Summary
Organic acids in drinking water significantly improved growth performance and feed conversion ratio in weaned pigs. This suggests organic acids can be a viable alternative to antibiotics for post-weaning piglet support.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Swine Nutrition
- Agricultural Chemistry
Background:
- Weaning piglets face significant stressors impacting growth.
- Organic acids offer potential benefits due to pH reduction and antimicrobial properties.
- Alternatives are needed to support piglets during the critical post-weaning phase.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a free and buffered organic acid blend in drinking water for weaned pigs.
- To assess the impact on growth performance, feed intake, and water consumption.
- To compare organic acid supplementation with different medication strategies.
Main Methods:
- Four hundred and twenty weaned pigs were divided into three treatment groups.
- Treatments included full medication, organic acid blend with full medication, and organic acid blend with reduced medication.
- Data on live weight, average daily gain, feed intake, and water consumption were collected over four weeks.
Main Results:
- Treatment with organic acids and reduced medication significantly increased live weight and average daily gain (P <0.001).
- Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly improved overall with organic acid supplementation (P = 0.001).
- Water consumption was significantly higher in pigs receiving organic acids in weeks 3 and 4 (P <0.05).
Conclusions:
- Supplementing drinking water with organic acids and reduced medication enhances post-weaning piglet growth performance.
- Organic acids show promise as an effective alternative to antibiotics for antibiotic reduction strategies.
- Increased water intake was also observed with organic acid supplementation.
