Flavored Vitamin-Mineral Supplementation via Water Improves the Performance of Newly Weaned Piglets

The aim was to evaluate the supplementation of weaned piglets using a water-soluble flavored vitamin-mineral mixture. Ninety weaned piglets were distributed in a randomized block design with three treatments: control (CON), no supplement during nursery; W5D, with supplementation for 5 days after weaning and another 5 days before the end of Phase 3 and beginning of Phase 4; and W10D, with supplementation during the first 10 days after weaning. The W10D showed higher daily weight gain (p = 0.047) in Phase 3 and higher water expenditure during Phase 3 and Phase 4 (p < 0.05). The W5D and W10D reduced superoxide dismutase activity in erythrocytes and malondialdehyde concentration in plasma, indicating a positive effect on redox status. Behavioral assessment showed that W10D piglets spent more time on the feeder in the first 24 h after weaning compared with other groups (p = 0.045). Incidence of diarrhea was lower in the W5D and W10D treatments during the last phase (p = 0.002) and lower for the W10D treatment throughout the entire experimental period (p < 0.001). In conclusion, supplementation of a flavored vitamin-mineral mixture via water during the first 10 days postweaning improves the performance of piglets, with beneficial effects on redox status, behavior, and a reduction in the incidence of diarrhea.