Piglet Protector – for more efficiency in piglet production
Author: Katrin Grothaus
The number of weaned piglets and their weaning weight are of crucial meaning for the efficiency of piglet production. High weaning weights are also of interest for the fattening phase: piglets having higher weaning weights often show better growth performance, higher daily weight gain, improved feed conversion and a shorter phase of fattening.
To set the course for a good development of newborn piglets some important facts have to be considered:
- Newborn piglets are born with low energy depots. Without a fast and efficient supply of energy the risk of hypoglycaemia is very high.
- Newborn piglets need immunoglobulines in adequate quality and quantity to be efficiently protected against infections.
- For prevention of digestive disorders a fast development of a healthy microflora is crucial.
Piglet Protector® is designed to provide all substances needed for a positive development of newborn piglets: Highly available energy is provided by triglycerides while the passive immune system is supported by immunoglobulines. The probiotics enhance the development of a healthy gut flora and the digestibility of nutrients. Via the inclusion of vitamins and trace elements the product becomes a well-balanced completion of the sows’ milk.
The first dosage of Piglet Protector® should be given as soon as possible after birth. In case of weak piglets a second dosage within the first 6 hours after birth is recommended.
The efficacy of Piglet Protector® has been tested in a field trial with 3 farms. 168 piglets were used for this trial, 85 of them belonged to the test group and received two dosages of 2 ml of Piglet Protector® in an interval of 6 hours.
As a result a clear increase in daily weight gain was observed for the test group. Greatest improvement was observed in the first 3 days of life but even at day 7 the test group showed an increase of 4% for the daily weight gain (figure 1).
In one of the farms data was collected until weaning of the piglets. So the positive effect of Piglet Protector® was observed until day 28 (figure 2).
At weaning the body weight of the test group was increased by 31% compared to the control group.
Another crucial parameter for efficiency in piglet production is the number of losses. Figure 3 shows a clear reduction in mortality for the test group.
Conclusion:
Clear increases in daily weight gain and body weight gain were observed due to an application of Piglet Protector®. At the same time the mortality was reduced from 7,2% in the control group to 3,5% in the test group.
The positive effects of dosing Piglet Protector® in the first hours of life are also visible in later stages of life: The weaning weight of the test group was increased by 31% compared to the control group.
For further questions concerning our portfolio for piglets please do not hesitate to contact Biochem Zusatzstoffe Handels- und Produktionsges. mbH (Telephone: +49 4442-92890 or e-mail: info@biochem.net).