PSVIII-14 - Zinc oxide augments early nursery pig feed intake

Abstract: Pharmacological concentrations of zinc (Zn) are commonly fed in the nursery to benefit early post-weaning performance and reduces scours. Therefore, our objective was to determine the effect of pharmacological Zn on post-weaning pig daily feed intake and performance. Three-hundred weaned pigs (5.7 ± 1.03 kg BW) were selected and allotted to 1 of 3 dietary treatments (n = 10 pens/treatment, 10 pigs/pen). Diets were fed over 2 phases (phase 1: d 0-7, phase 2: d 8-21) and consisted of: 1) Control diet with no growth promoting additives, CON; 2) CON + 3,000 ppm Zn and 200 ppm Cu (phase 1), no pharmacological minerals in phase 2, ZC1; and 3) CON + 3,000 ppm Zn and 200 ppm Cu (phase 1), CON + 2,000 ppm Zn and 200 ppm Cu (phase 2); ZC2). Bodyweights were collected at d 0, 7, and 21. Feed disappearance was recorded daily from d 0-14, and within phase. In phase 1, ZC1 and ZC2 pigs had 29% higher feed consumption compared to the CON pigs (0.09, 0.09, 0.07 kg/d; P < 0.0001). Within 2 days of phase 2 diet change, feed intake of the ZC1 pigs sharply decreased to the same level of the CON pigs, while ZC2 pigs consumed 29% more (P < 0.05). In phase 1, ZC1 and ZC2 pens had increased ADG compared to CON pigs (P < 0.001). In phase 2, ADG was 14% higher in the ZC2 compared to ZC1 and CON pigs (P = 0.023). Overall, ADG was 15% higher in the ZC2 pigs and ADFI was 13 and 24% higher than ZC1 and CON pens, respectively (P < 0.05). In conclusion, early post-weaning feed intake was augmented with pharmacological levels of Zn. These data suggest that pharmacological Zn potentially enhances voluntary feed intake regulation in pigs.