Effect of a water-based phytogenic supplement on growth performance of nursery pigs fed low protein diets
Abstract
The objective of the current study was to assess the effects of a phytogenic supplement at three different doses on growth performance of weaned piglets fed with normal or low protein diets. A total of 48 weanling crossbred pigs (Duroc sire line and Large White X Landrace dam) barrows were used. All pigs were weaned at 3-weeks of age and housed in individual pens. In 2 x 3 factorial design, all pigs were randomly assigned into 6 groups (9.1 +- 0.91 kg; 8 pigs/group) receiving a combination of diets with 2 levels of protein (16% and 24% crude protein [CP]) and 3 levels of Herbanimal supplement (0, 4, and 8 ml/L) for 4 weeks. The groups were included: 1) 24% CP + 0 ml/L Herbanimal supplement (CON-NS), 2) 24% CP + 4 ml/L Herbanimal supplement (CON-LS), 3) 24% CP + 8 ml/L Herbanimal supplement (CON-HS), 4) 16% CP (low protein) + 0 ml/L Herbanimal supplement (LP-NS), 5) 16% CP + 4 ml/L Herbanimal supplement (LP-LS), 6) 16% CP + 8 ml/L Herbanimal supplement (LP-HS). The feed and water intake were measured daily, and the body weight was recorded weekly. Overall, CON-HS had the highest final body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily water intake (ADWI), and gain to feed (G:F) ratio. LP-HS had the lowest final BW and ADG compared to other groups. LP-HS and LP-LS had the lowest G:F ratio and were equivalent to each other. Numerically, LP-NS had the lowest ADFI and ADWI. The greatest difference in final BW was detected between CON-HS and LP-HS (P <0.05). Pigs fed CON-HS had the largest body weight gain (BWG) during weeks 1 and 4 while CON-LS had the highest BWG during week 2. Pigs fed with CON-NS and LP-LS had equally higher values in week 3 compared to other groups. The lowest BWG for week 1 was for LP-LS and that for weeks 2-4 was for LP-HS. CON-HS had the largest G:F ratios for weeks 1 and 4 while LP-LS had the largest G:F in week 2. Pigs fed with LP-NS had the highest G:F in week 3 among all groups. LP-NS and LP-LS shared the lowest value for the G:F ratio during week 1 as did CON-LS and LP-LS for week 4. LP-HS had the lowest G:F ratio during weeks 2-3 among all groups. These results indicate that the Herbanimal supplement improved the growth performance of nursery pigs fed with diets with normal protein levels, but had no positive effect on the growth performance of nursery pigs fed low protein diets.