Research Regarding the Use of Prebiotics Based on Organic Acids in Weaners’ Feeding

Abstract

This study is meant to emphasize some improvement possibilities of the production performances of the weaned piglets, by the use of prebiotics on the basis of organic acids (Acid Lac Dry®) as au alternative to using forage antibiotics (Salocin-120) or by associating the two forage additives in the piglets feeding. Four lots of weaned piglets have been formed. The first lot was fed with standard fodder suitable for the age category in the sense of structure and nutritive value; for the second lot, Salocin-120 antibiotic (0.05%) was added to the essential ration; for the third lot, Acid Lac Dry® (0.50%) prebiotic was added to the essential ratio and for the fourth lot, the antibiotic together with the prebiotic were added to the essential ration. The presence of forage additives tested in the weaned piglets’ food did not modify the food consumption, but it determined improved weight gain. An improvement of the degree of food recovery has been noticed, too; mixed forage consumption for 1 kilo being lower than in lot 1, with 9,93% at the piglets in lot 4 (antibiotics + organics acid); with 7,72% at the piglets in lot 2 (antibiotics) and with 6,25% at those in lot 3 (organics acid). Positive effects have been more obvious after the first 30 days after weaning, when the endogenous production of hydrochloric acid is little, and the digestive pH is high.