|
|
Higher concentrations of zinc oxide found to result in healthieNursery pigs fed high concentrations of zinc oxide were found to have less incidence of diarrhea than those fed lesser amounts or no additional zinc beyond the trace mineral premix, which typically contains zinc sulfate at 150 parts per million, said a University Missouri Extension swine nutrition specialist. The study looked at the effect of zinc oxide on Escherichia coli, the main cause of neonatal and post-weaning diarrhea, as well as lactobacilli, a so-called beneficial bacterium in the pigs' digestive systems, said Marcia Shannon, a member of the Commercial Agriculture swine team. "The objective was to investigate the effect of feeding pharmacological levels of zinc oxide on growth performance and determine the number of excreted E.coli and lactobacilli in the feces," Shannon said. Forty crossbred pigs were studied during a four-week period. The pigs were split into four treatment groups, receiving zinc oxide at rates ranging from zero to 3,000 parts per million. Fecal samples were tested weekly for E.coli and lactobacilli. Pharmacological concentrations of 750 ppm to 3,000 ppm of zinc oxide did not result in improved growth performance. However, nursery pigs fed either 1,500 ppm or 3,000 ppm of zinc oxide had less incidence of diarrhea when compared to pigs that received no additional zinc or were fed 750 ppm of zinc as zinc oxide. Shannon said the inclusion rate of zinc oxide in the diet did not appear to affect greatly the amount of lactobacilli colonies. "Pigs in the control group receiving no additional zinc as zinc oxide were 16 to 20 times more likely to have diarrhea during the nursery period," Shannon said. "I would recommend that producers feed their pigs a minimum of 1,500 parts per million of zinc as zinc oxide during the first two weeks in the nursery," she said. "It will result in healthier pigs." Date: 11/13/07
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2012. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
|
