Post-weaning is one of the most critical points within swine production. At this stage, piglets are exposed to several stressors, such as early weaning and switching to a new diet, which affects piglet´s intestinal health, causing diarrhea and significant productive losses.

To prevent these intestinal problems, the use of zinc oxide during the post-weaning period is a common practice. However, due to its environmental impact, the prohibition of this additive in animal feed is getting closer.

Animal producers need solutions to maintain the intestinal health of piglets that do not have a negative impact on the environment.

Intestinal conditioner pronutrients are a natural and widely proven solution for improving the piglet´s intestinal health. They are active molecules of botanical origin, that improve the integrity of the intestinal epithelium, increasing feed digestibility and nutrient absorption.

Objective

Evaluate the use of intestinal conditioner pronutrients on growth, mortality, and intestinal health in piglets during the post-weaning period, compared to zinc oxide.

Two trials were carried out on the same farm: an experimental trial with a small number of animals, and a second trial under commercial conditions.

Material and methods – trial 1

In the first trial 320 piglets were used. Their production performance was assessed from weaning, at 28 days of age, up to 72 days of age. The animals were divided into the following experimental groups:

• Control group (160 piglets): standard diet + zinc oxide at doses of 3 kg/t continuously. The concentration of zinc oxide was 2400 ppm.
• Pronutrient group (160 piglets): standard diet + intestinal conditioner pronutrients administered continuously at doses of 0.5 kg/t.

The standard diet contained about 17% crude protein.

Results – trial 1

In the first trial, the final weight of animals supplemented with pronutrients was 26.26 kg, while in the control group the final weight was 26.21 kg, which means an increase of 1.53% using pronutrients.

No significant differences in mortality were observed between the two batches during the first test. In both experimental groups mortality was 2.5%.

At the same time, no significant differences in the percentage of diarrhea were observed between the two experimental groups, in both groups the percentage of diarrhea was 10-15%.

Material and methods – trial 2

The results obtained in the experimental trial were satisfactory, so the effect intestinal conditioner pronutrients on commercial conditions was evaluated. 2000 piglets were used in this second trial.

The results were compared with farm average results in previous production cycles, in which zinc oxide was used at doses of 3 kg/t.

Experimental groups from the second trial:

• Farm average (average results from previous production cycles): standard diet + zinc oxide at doses of 3 kg/t continuously. The concentration of zinc oxide was 2400 ppm.
• Pronutrient group (2000 piglets): standard diet + intestinal conditioner pronutrients administered continuously at doses of 0.5 kg/t.

This second trial was also carried out in the post-weaning period, from 28 days of age until 82 days of age.

The standard diet used in the second trial was the same as that used in the first trial.

The final weight of the animals, the percentage of diarrhea and mortality were evaluated.

Results – trial 2

In the second trial, the piglets of the pronutrient group obtained a final weight of 34.20 kg. The average final weight of piglets in the same farm in previous cycles, using zinc oxide, was 33.25 kg. Therefore, pronutrients increase the final weight by 2.86%.

During the second test, mortality was 1.8% in the pronutrient group, while the average farm mortality in previous cycles was 2.5%, which states a 28% reduction in mortality percentage thanks to intestinal conditioner pronutrients.

The percentage of diarrhea in the second trial was 15% in the pronutrient supplemented group and no significant differences with previous production cycles were observed, where the rate of diarrhea was 10-15%.

Conclusion

Intestinal conditioner pronutrients improve intestinal health of piglets during the post-weaning period, ensuring good growth rates and preventing the onset of diarrhea.

The use of these active molecules of botanical origin, compared to zinc oxide, improves the final weight of piglets by 2.86% while reducing the mortality rate by 28% during post-weaning period.

Intestinal conditioner pronutrients are a natural, effective, and widely tested tool that can replace zinc oxide during the post-weaning period.

In addition, as they are active molecules of botanical origin, they leave no residues on animals, do not create resistances, and have no impact on the environment.

Intestinal conditioner pronutrients are marketed under the name Alquernat Nebsui from Biovet S.A.