NUTRITION ▶▶▶


Helping piglets to adapt faster after weaning


The weaning gap can lead to a wide array of problems, varying from welfare issues and bacterial challenges to even death. Getting piglets accustomed quickly to their new surroundings is therefore a must. How can a piglet’s gut be helped to perform its new role better after weaning?


BY DR JULES TAYLOR-PICKARD, ALLTECH Y 0.79 Control Blend of SCFA, prebiotics and minerals 0.74


CV = 4.9 P < 0.01


0.69 0.66 0.64 0.59 0.54 0.49 ADG * Viligen, Alltech 26 ADFI 0.57 0.64


Alternatives to antibiotic use Over the years, prebiotics and other specialist compounds have been identified and trialled as alternatives to antibiotic use in feed. In more recent times, combinations of zootechni- cal ingredients have been developed that have multi-factorial benefits in the gut, leading to cumulative benefits over and above those of the individual ingredients themselves. Alltech has worked on many different compounds that can be used as alternatives to antibiotics and which have now been


▶PIG PROGRESS | Volume 36, No. 8, 2020 0.73


oung piglets at weaning face an array of pathogen- ic challenges in the gut, which can result in poor growth, higher feed costs due to poor conversion ratios, welfare issues and even death. Piglets initial-


ly derive the bacteria within their gut from the environment and their mother. However, the immature gut is vulnerable to invasion by disease-causing organisms, especially at wean- ing, when the animal must transition from sow’s milk to a compound feed. Several factors at weaning influence the ability of the piglet to thrive and grow. These include the abil- ity of the structures in the gut and associated organs to in- crease in size – such as the pancreas for enzyme secretion and the surface area of villi lining the tract – in order to adapt


 of SCFA, prebiotics and minerals on the feed intake (kg) and average daily gain (kg) of nursery pigs up to 23 days after weaning.


to the new type of feed, which dictates the effectiveness of digestion and the nutrients available for growth and health. In addition, the piglet must establish an appropriate gut microflora and responsive immune system at the same time.


Weaning gap Scientists have long recognised the so-called “weaning gap” in immunity and gut development during the transfer from a milk-based to a cereal-based diet in nursery pigs. This is typically characterised by higher susceptibility to diarrhoea and other gastric disorders, including challenges from po- tentially life-threatening bacteria, as well as inadequate immune responses. In the last 30 years, research has focused on the role and im- portance of the hindgut on digestion and growth efficiency in agricultural animals. That has resulted in the development of various technical ingredients for direct use in feed, which influence digestion and nutrient availability for the animal. Since 1999, the traditional use of antibiotics in feed has been banned or limited in many countries. This was due to con- cerns regarding the development of resistant pathogenic strains and to free up the use of these products in humans for “drugs of last resort” against medically resistant diseases. However, this development work has had many more far-reaching consequences, as many zootechnical products have benefits beyond merely the control of disease-causing organisms. Ongoing research is now looking into their role in animal behaviour, as well as nutrient supply and welfare. Their various proven modes of action include inhibiting the colonisation of disease-causing pathogenic organisms, help- ing to “feed” the cells lining the gut to allow faster develop- ment and promoting the immune system and its responses to challenges.


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