{"id":46636,"date":"2024-03-14T08:53:14","date_gmt":"2024-03-14T07:53:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kersia-group.com\/?p=46636"},"modified":"2024-03-14T08:53:14","modified_gmt":"2024-03-14T07:53:14","slug":"boosting-piglet-health-efficacy-evaluation-of-pigstart-plus-in-pre-weaning-nutrition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kersia-group.com\/blog\/2024\/03\/14\/boosting-piglet-health-efficacy-evaluation-of-pigstart-plus-in-pre-weaning-nutrition\/","title":{"rendered":"Boosting Piglet Health: Efficacy Evaluation of Pigstart Plus in Pre-weaning Nutrition"},"content":{"rendered":"
Discover the effectiveness of Pigstart Plus in supporting weak piglets during the pre-weaning phase. Learn about our trials, methodology, and results for enhanced piglet growth and vitality.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Introduction:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Optimizing the pre-weaning phase is crucial for ensuring the health and growth of piglets into robust adults. With the phasing out of Zinc Oxide from piglet feed due to regulatory concerns (e.g., EU ban in 2022), the swine industry is actively seeking nutritional alternatives to sustain piglets during this critical period.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In modern pig production, larger litter sizes increase the likelihood of stunted or weak piglets at birth. In such scenarios, the availability of maternal colostrum is vital for reducing mortality rates. However, approximately 30% of sows are unable to provide sufficient colostrum. It is in response to this challenge that Pigstart Plus was developed. Formulated with easily assimilable colostrum, energy, and essential vitamins, Pigstart Plus serves as a valuable aid post-birth. Packaged conveniently in a measuring bottle for ease of administration, this product is specifically targeted towards fragile piglets, with demonstrated effectiveness in improving their condition.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Materials & Methods:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Our trials were conducted at a commercial farm in Brittany, France, encompassing two consecutive batches of sows totaling 41 individuals. Within each batch, sows were carefully grouped to ensure homogeneous litter rankings across both treated and untreated groups (10 sows per group).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The focus of our analysis was on the weakest and most vulnerable piglets, characterized by a birth weight of less than 1.2 kg. A total of 54 piglets were selected, with 19 receiving Pigstart Plus (experimental group) and 35 left untreated (control group).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Piglets in the experimental group were administered two doses of Pigstart Plus: the first immediately after birth and the second three hours post-farrowing. We meticulously recorded the weights of all piglets at birth (pre-treatment), 24 hours post-farrowing, and upon weaning (day 21).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Results<\/strong><\/p>\n