A Field Study on the Effect of the Dietary Use of a Clinoptilolite-Rich Tuff, Alone or in Combination with Certain Antimicrobials, on the Health Status and Performance of Weaned, Growing and Finishing Pigs
The study investigates the impact of a clinoptilolite-rich tuff (Cp) on the health and performance of weaned, growing, and finishing pigs, particularly in conjunction with antimicrobials (AM) like enrofloxacin (E) and salinomycin (S). Conducted on a conventional farrow-to-finish pig farm with a history of post-weaning diarrhoea syndrome (PWDS), the research involved two main experimental phases.
In the first phase, 720 clinically healthy piglets were divided into groups based on whether they received Cp and/or AM in their feed. The health status was monitored through daily observations for adverse effects, average daily diarrhoea scores, and mortality rates. The second phase focused on performance evaluation, where 264 piglets were similarly grouped and monitored for weight gain and feed consumption until slaughter.
Results indicated that Cp was well tolerated, with a significant reduction in the severity and duration of PWDS symptoms when combined with AM. The mortality rate during weaning decreased significantly with AM use. Performance metrics showed that both Cp and AM positively influenced average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR), particularly during the weaning and growing periods. The study concluded that Cp does not adversely affect pigs and can enhance the efficacy of AM, suggesting its potential as a supportive dietary additive in pig farming.
This research paper is significant in the field of veterinary science and animal husbandry as it addresses the ongoing challenges of managing pig health and performance, particularly in the context of antibiotic use and disease control. The findings contribute to the discussion on alternative dietary supplements that can mitigate health issues like PWDS while potentially enhancing growth performance. The study's insights into the compatibility of natural zeolites with antimicrobials provide valuable information for farmers and veterinarians seeking to optimize pig health and productivity without solely relying on antibiotics.
