Philippine E-Journals

The Use of Lactobacilli Extract (Lactovet Pafigro Probiotic Growth Enhancertm) in Feeding Suckling and Growing Pigs

Domingo B. Roxas | Josephine R. Centeno | M.m. Rebenque

Discipline: Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science

 

Abstract:

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of feeding Lactobacilli extract (Lactovet PafiGro Probiotic Growth Enhancer™) offered as drench to suckling piglets, on live weight (LW) gain and scouring prevention (Stage 1), and the subsequent effects of Lactovet Pafigro on the growth of pigs up to 80kg (Stage 2). The piglets were from six sows that have had two or more parity, grouped according to birth weight in each litter, with the three treatments randomly distributed to the piglets per group. The treatments were: 1-control, drenched with distilled water; 2-drenched with antibiotic growth promotant (AGP); 3-Lactobacilli extract, 5ml/2 days (level 1), drenched; and 4-Lactobacilli extract, 10ml/2 days (level 2), drenched. The AGP used was oxytetracycline (5.56% SP, 19/10kg dry feed intake). Drenching was done every other day to reduce piglet stress. Upon weaning at 28 days old, 40 pigs from Stage 1 (ten pigs per treatment group) were randomly selected. The pigs, assigned to the same treatment as in their suckling stage, continued to receive creep diet until the 10 kg LW. In Stage 2, the AGP was incorporated in the diet during mixing, while the Lactovet Pafigro was sprayed daily on the feed given in the morning. The pigs were fed starter, grower and finisher mash at 10-20 kg, 20-60 kg and 60-80 kg LW, respectively. Results showed_ that piglets that received 10ml Lactovet Pafigro had the highest ADG, followed by those receiving 5ml Lactovet Pafigro. The control and AGP piglets had similar ADGs, which were lower than those receiving Lactovet Pafigro. Piglets receiving the 10011 level of Lactovet Pafigro had better (p<0.05) ADG compared to those with 5ml. Pigs that received 5 and 10mllevels of Lactovet Pafigro had higher number of pigs that did not suffer from scouring than the control and AGP piglets. At 80kg LW, the trend in ADG was sustained, with the animals receiving Lactovet Pafigro having better FCE than either the control or antibiotic group. Dressing percentage and other carcass characteristics measured ' did not differ (p>0.05) among the four treatments.