ProPhorce™ SR in pigs after weaning in Germany
Introduction
Butyric acids and their derivatives are seen as a stimulant in the development of the epithelium cells in the villi in the gut. This can result in improved feed utilisation and animal performance. Butyric acid esters are an important factor in the milk fat of sow milk. Our hypothesis is that the addition of butyric acid esters in piglet feed is a natural way of supporting the development of an efficient functioning GIT in piglets. The experiment was done in duplo, the control and test room were alternated in the second trial.
Materials & Methods
- 800 piglets, Topigs20 x Pietrian, weaned at 4 weeks
- Animals were randomly assigned to a treatment
- Treatment 1: Control group without butyric acid
- Treatment 2: ProPhorce™ SR 730, 2 kg/ton liquid feed
- Each treatment was in a separate room, with 16 pens each, 28 piglets per pen
- Liquid feed and water were given ad libitum
- Piglets were weighed at day 14 and day 56 after weaning, feed data and losses were recorded
Results
Results trial 1
| Parameter | Control | ProPhorce™ SR730 |
|---|---|---|
| Weaning weight (kg) | 7,44 | 7,44 |
| 14 days post weaning weight (kg) | 10,02 | 10,40 |
| 56 post weaning weight (kg) | 30,68 | 32,20 |
| ADG (grams) | 490 | 520* |
| FCR | 1,72 | 1,67 |
* P=0,002, 30 grams extra growth is highly significant
Results trial 2
| Parameter | Control | ProPhorce™ SR730 |
|---|---|---|
| 14 days post weaning weight (kg) | 9,91 | 9,73 |
| 56 post weaning weight (kg) | 34,14 | 34,88 |
| ADG (grams) | 577 | 600* |
| FCR | 2,30 | 2,22 |
* P=0,07, 23 grams extra growth
Conclusion
Based on both trials, we can conclude that ProPhorce SR 730 improves technical performance of piglets. ADG improved significantly, and also FCR improved in both trials.
For every euro that is invested in ProPhorce SR 730 for piglets, one can expect a ROI of at least 5 euro, based on these findings.