PSVI-9 - Effects of Phytogenic Feed Additives on Growth Performance in Nursery Pigs

Abstract: Two experiments were conducted to demonstrate the effects of adding a phytogenic feed additive (PFA; Digestarom^® Sow, BIOMIN America Inc.) on growth performance of nursery pigs compared to a carbadox feeding program. Newly weaned pigs were randomly allotted into a control (added carbadox) or PFA treatment. A total of 144 (6.10 ± 0.20 kg of BW, Exp. 1) and 600 pigs (6.18 ± 0.03 kg of BW, Exp. 2) were randomly allotted to two treatments. Pigs were fed three nursery diets over 42 d (Exp. 1) or 40 d (Exp. 2). Pigs were fed diets containing carbadox (CON, 25 g/ton in Exp. 1 and 50 g/ton in Exp. 2) from phase 1 to 2 and fed diets containing 0.015% PFA from phase 1 to 3 in both experiments. Body weight and feed disappearance were recorded at the end of each phase. Data were analyzed using the Mixed procedure of SAS. Pigs fed carbadox had a greater (P < 0.05) Gain:Feed in phase 1 (Exp. 1) and in phase 2 (Exp. 2), respectively. However, Gain:Feed of pigs fed PFA was higher (P < 0.05) than feeding carbadox in phase 3 in Exp. 2. No differences were found between the two treatments in either of the experiments in overall period. In conclusion, PFA (Digestarom^® Sow) supplementation resulted in similar growth performance when compared to a carbadox feeding program during the post-weaning period.