0
In pig production, feed additives are used to improve feed palatability and performance and especially during stressful periods such as weaning. In this study was investigated the effect of feed supplementation, from weaning, with 3 sensory feed additives (FA1, FA2, and FA3) on feed preferences, feed intake, and growth of piglets. At weaning (d 1), a total of 32 female piglets weighing 8.33 ± 0.14 kg, weaned at 26 d of age and housed in individual pens were allocated to 4 treatments. The treatments were: 1) FA1 contained extract of Stevia rebaudiana (10 to 20%), extract of high-saponin plants (5 to 10%), and excipients (70 to 85%), 2) FA2 contained a natural extract of Citrus sinensis (60 to 80%), 3) FA3 was made of a blend of extracts of hot-flavored spices (5 to 15%) and excipients (85 to 95%), and 4) control (CON) with no additive. On the day of feed transition (d 16) as well as 7 (d 23) and 10 d (d 26) later, the animals were consecutively subjected to 1h double choice test from 10:00 to 11.00 h and a 22h double-choice feeding test from 11:00 to 09:00 h the next day to investigate their preferences during a short period and a longer period of time.
No effect of the feed additives was observed on ADFI, ADG, G:F, and final BW. No overall preference was highlighted for the FA1 treatment, except for a preference for the FA1 starter diet during the 1-h test on d 23 (78% of total feed intake; P < 0.01). For the FA2 treatment, the pigs consumed the FA2 starter diet more than the CON starter diet during the 22-h tests on d 16 (67% of total feed intake; P < 0.05) and 26 (62% of total feed intake; P < 0.01). For the FA3 treatment, on d 26, the FA3 starter diet was and tended to be consumed more than the CON starter diet during 1- (69% of total intake; P < 0.05) and 22-h (60% of total intake; P < 0.10) tests, respectively. It was concluded that these feed additives did not induce beneficial effects on feed intake and growth performance during the first 28d postweaning. The FA2 increased palatability and acceptance of the unfamiliar starter diet the day of feed transition, while the FA1 and FA3 only after a few days of exposure to the starter diet, most likely through long-term familiarization processes.
Clouard, C. and Val-Laillet, D. 2014. Impact of sensory feed additives on feed intake, feed preferences, and growth of female piglets during the early postweaning period. Journal of Animal Science, 92; 2133 – 2140. doi:10.2527/jas2013-6809