The effects of adding a high intensity sweetener (HIS) to feed and of the combination of adding a milky flavor (MF) in drinking water and in feed on the performance of weanling pigs were investigated. One hundred and twenty newly weaned 26 d-old pigs (Landrace x Pietrain) in 24 pens of 5 animals each were used. The animals were offered free access to 4 experimental diets consisting of a basal diet (T-1) and the same diet with three different flavour preparations: HIS (T-2), MF (T-3) and the same MF enhanced with an orosensorial supplement (T-4). The composition of the basal diet changed from a pre-starter to a starter specification on day 13 of trial. Additionally, the animals from each experimental treatment had free access to different water supplies that in the case of treatments T-3 and T-4 contained the same MF up to d 22 of trial. For the first 4 d after weaning the animals on T-4 had a higher (P<0.05) ADFI than those on T-2 (90 vs 41 g/d). For the whole pre-starter phase, the animals on T-3 and T-4 also had a better (P<0.05) G:F ratio than those on T-2 (0.484 and 0.532 vs 0.303 g/g, respectively). During the starter phase, the animals on T-2 and T-4 had a higher (P<0.05) ADFI than those on T-3 (698 and 682 vs 586 g/d, respectively). Overall the 28 day trial, the animals on T-4 had a higher (P<0.05) ADFI than those on T-3 (463 vs. 394 g/d) while T-1 and T-2 were intermediate (435 and 449 g/d). Final average body weights at the end of the trial were 17.43, 16.79, 16.65 and 16.06 kg for animals on T-4, T-2, T-1 and T-3 respectively. It is concluded that, treatment with a HIS may reduce ADFI during the pre-starter phase. The addition of a milky flavour in the drinking water after weaning together with an enhanced milky flavour in the feed improved ADFI and G:F in the pre-starter phase as well as ADFI in the overall experiment resulting in apparently heavier piglets. tech.service.fad@lucta.com
Autores: Roura, E, Coma, J. and Torrallardona, D.
Libro/Revista: Journal of Animal Science, 84 (E-suppl.1): 46
