13 Feb Phytogenics boost both sow performance and development of suckling piglets
In winter of 2022, we conducted a field trial with a product based on phytogenics, to assess if it could improve the performance of pregnant sows and their litters.
It was shown that adding phytogenics to feed at 0.5 kg/ton and 0.7 kg/ton could provide nutritional support to sows, shorten gestation time and boost the weight of piglets at birth. The use of phytogenics in the diets of lactating sows and suckling piglets at 0.5 kg/ton and 0.7 kg/ton strengthened piglet health, reduced the incidence of diarrhea, improved survival and weaning weight.
Conditions of the trial
The trial lasted for 56 days (30 days before farrowing – until weaning of the piglets at 26 days of age).
Trial product: Phytogenics in powder form
A barn with 25 sows was randomly selected as trial group 1, a barn with 25 sows was randomly selected as trial group 2, and finally a barn with 25 sows was selected as the control group.
Trial Group 1: Phytogenics at 0.5 kg/ton in sow’s feed, from the beginning of the trial until piglets were weaned. Phytogenics were also added to the piglets’ pre-starter feed, at 0.5 kg/ton, from days 18 to 26.
Trial Group 2: Phytogenics at 0.7 kg/ton in sow’s feed, from the beginning of the trial until piglets were weaned. Phytogenics were also added to the piglets’ pre-starter feed, at 0.5 kg/ton, from days 18 to 26.
Control group: Normal feed.
All the other health, nutritional and management parameters, as well as the environmental conditions, were the same for all groups.
Results
The average piglet’s birth weight of the trial group 1 improved by 15.24% compared to control, and that of trial group 2 improved by 17.74%.
The coefficient of variation reflects the uniformity of the weights at birth: the smaller the coefficient of variation, the higher the uniformity. The coefficient of variation of trial group 1 was 4.83% lower, and that of trial group 2 was 1.93% lower than the control group.
All sows in the trial and control groups were inseminated the same day.
As can be seen from the above table, the sows in groups trial 1 (best) and trial 2 (second best) delivered earlier and in a more homogeneous way.
The survival rate of lactating piglets increased by 1.31% and 4.45% respectively in the two groups treated with phytogenics.
The occurrence and severity of scours, measured as diarrhea score, was reduced by 50.5% and 40.9% in trial groups 1 and 2.
The average weaning weight of trial group 1 and 2 were 16.77% and better 12.23% compared to control, while the average weight gain were 17.16% and 10.85% better.
The coefficient of variation reflects the homogeneity of the data: the smaller the coefficient of variation, the higher the evenness of the piglet weight at weaning. The coefficient of variation in the trial group 1 was 3.53% lower, and the coefficient of variation in the trial group 2 was 3.97% lower.
Conclusions
The trial has shown that adding phytogenics at 0.5 Kg/ton or 0.7 Kg/ton to the feed of pregnant sows in the 30 days before farrowing effectively provides nutritional support, shortens gestation time, and increases birth weight and homogeneity of new born piglets.
The use of phytogenics in the diets of lactating sows and suckling piglets at 0.5 Kg/ton or 0.7 Kg/ton supports piglet’s health, improves survival and weaning weight.
Products of choice
ReproPlus© is a premix powder intended to maintain and improve digestive health in pregnant and lactating sows. It is formulated with synergistic ingredients:
- Bactericidal and fungicidal phytogenics, combined with organic acids.
- Phytogenics with immune boosting and antioxidant activity.
- Plant extracts with prebiotic effect.
- Vegetable oils rich in omega 3.
- Silicates with mycotoxin binding function.
When administered during the last period of gestation, it has a positive impact on the survivability and the health of the litter.
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