Supplemental biotin for swine. I. Influence on feedlot performance, plasma biotin and toe lesions in developing gilts

Three trials, utilizing a total of 240 crossbred gilts, were conducted to study the influence of 0 (NB) or 220 (SB) microgram supplemental biotin/kg of diet on feedlot performance, plasma biotin and development of toe lesions in developing gilts. Corn-soybean meal diets were fed from weaning to 92 kg body weight. Gilts were housed on expanded-metal floors to 50 kg body weight and on partially slatted concrete floors until completion of the trials. Feedlot performance, hair and structural soundness scores were not different (P greater than .10) between NB and SB gilts. Plasma biotin (PB) levels were elevated (P less than .01) when supplemental biotin was included in the diet. Gilts consuming SB diets had fewer (P less than .01) toe lesions/gilt and lower (P less than .01) toe lesion severity scores/gilt compared with gilts fed NB diets. Heel-horn erosion and heel cracks were the most frequent toe lesions observed. Fewer gilts (P less than .01) developed side-wall toe cracks when fed SB diets. Supplemental biotin reduced the frequency of individual toes containing heel-horn erosion (P less than .10), heel cracks (P less than .05) and side-wall toe cracks (P less than .05) with the severity of these lesions not affected (P greater than .10) by supplemental biotin. These results suggest that biotin levels in corn-soybean meal diets are adequate for feedlot performance, and that supplemental biotin can improve hoof integrity, but will not prevent toe lesions.