The effects of Sepiolite-SPLF on piglet and heavy pig production

• Main Authors: Paolo Parisini, Paola Parazza, Fernando Escribano, Giovanna Martelli, Luca Sardi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2010-01-01
• Series: Italian Journal of Animal Science
• Subjects: Pig, Sepiolite-SPLF, Health, Growth, Slaughtering parameters
• Online Access: http://www.aspajournal.it/index.php/ijas/article/view/198
• ISSN: 1594-4077; 1828-051X

In order to evaluate the effects of Sepiolite for Pig Liquid Feeding (Sepiolite-SPLF) on piglet and heavy pig production,<br />two separate trials have been performed. In the first trial a total of 319 piglets from 32 litters was used. From the 6th day<br />of life piglets belonging to 16 litters received a complementary feed containing Sepiolite-SPLF at 1% (Group B); the<br />remaining piglets were fed a complementary feed without sepiolite addition (group A). At weaning (26 days of life),<br />according to the dietary treatment of the suckling period, 80 piglets were homogeneously allocated to two groups fed up<br />to 30 kg body weight a diet containing or not containing Sepiolite-SPLF at 1% (group B and Group A, respectively). In<br />the second trial 330 barrows of the initial body weight of 60 kg were used. Animals were homogeneously allocated to<br />two groups: a control group traditionally fed a soybean-maize based diet and a sepiolite group in which Sepiolite-SPLF<br />was added at 1% (Group B). Pigs were slaughtered at about 170 kg body weight. In both trials daily weight gain, feed<br />intake and pigs&rsquo; health were recorded.<br />Weaned piglets on the sepiolite diet showed a highly significant (P<0.01) reduction of diarrhea score (1.55 vs. 2.03<br />points). At slaughtering the dietary inclusion of sepiolite resulted in a higher uniformity-degree of pigs as it was demonstrated<br />by a higher (P<0.05) frequency of carcasses in the central class comprised between 133 and 145 kg (52% vs.<br />35%).