Using organic acids in feeding of piglets

Providing organic acids as a feed additive enhances the health status of piglets, particularly in the suckling period and in the problematical time after weaning. Depending on type and the area of application for the acids, the dosage is between 0.1 and 4 % of the total feed. For example, formic, fumaric or sorbic acids are used alone or in mixtures. Positive effects were verified in the feed, in the digestive tract and in the metabolism of piglets. A lot of studies show a stabilisation in performance relating to weight, growth and health. 127 piglets were separated into a treated and control group and observed for the effectiveness of the organic acids. The live weights on day 5, 28, 42 and 76 were recorded. Both groups had comparable growth in the suckling period. The comparison identified an advantage for piglets receiving organic acid. On average this group of animals had a higher weight and a lower variability of live weights at day 76 (table 1). Other positive tendencies for the treated group were lower losses and a higher rate of piglets attaining at least a weight of 25 kg at 76 days of age. The piglets receiving organic acids also had a better development at the end of the trial which they achieved during the problematic period after weaning.