Abstract
A subset of 720 weaned pigs (6.44 ± 0.1 kg, PIC genetics, approximately 21-d of age) were used in a 42-d trial with a 2x3 factorial design evaluating the effects of adding organic acid (OA) blends [factor 1 = no organic acid (NO), Acid Pak 1 (AP1), Acid Pak 2 (AP2)] to diets with or without higher levels of Zn or Cu [factor 2 = +/-PZC] on pig performance. Pigs were allotted 10 pigs/pen to 12 weight blocks and randomly assigned the six dietary treatments. The +PZC diets contained 3000 ppm Zn (d 0-7), 2000 ppm Zn (d 8-21), and 250 ppm Cu (d 21-42) and -PZC diets contained 95 ppm Zn and 20 ppm Cu (d 0-42). The AP1 and AP2 diets used 0.9% of 2 acid premixes (d 0-21), and 0.45% of the premixes (day 22-42). AP1 provided 0.5% benzoic acid, 0.07% sodium butyrate, and 0.025% phosphoric acid (day 0-21) and half those levels (day 22-42). AP2 included the same acids as AP1 but at half the rate and combined with 7 other organic acids and carvacrol. From d 0-21, ADG, ADFI, and G:F were improved (P< 0.01) by +PZC compared to -PZC and by AP1 or AP2 compared to NO (P< 0.02). Overall (d 0-42), ADG and G:F were improved (P< 0.01) by +PZC compared to -PZC and by AP1 or AP2 compared to NO (P< .010). Data from this trial indicate that performance was improved by the addition of both OA and PZC. However, pigs fed OA and -PZC performed similarly to those fed NO and +PZC in the post-weaning period. In summary, regardless of the acid combination, organic acid supplementation has the potential to improve growth performance in weaned pigs.
Effect of Feeding Organic Acid With or Without Enzyme on Intestinal Microflora, Intestinal Enzyme Activity and Performance of Weaned Pigs
