129 The effect of Activo Liquid supplemented via the water against Mecadox 50 on nursery pig’s growth performance and survival

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this study was to compare Activo Liquid supplemented via the water agaisnt Mecadox 50 on nursery pigs’ growth performance and survival. Activo Liquid is a combination of secondary plant compounds plus organic acid (antimicrobial) supplemented in the water to support gut health and improve performance. The study design of this trial was a Split Plot with 36 replicates (9 replicates/treatment) with 10 pigs/pen. Pigs were allotted by a Randomized Complete Block Design by weight at weaning. Pigs were around 5.7 kg and 19 days of age average on body weight and weaning age, respectively. The nursery houses were not washed for two turns to expose the animals to serious pathogens. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance with pen as the experimental unit. Significant differences were established by P < 0.05. Treatments were Control with 50g/ton of Mecadox for all nursery phases and three Activo Liquid treatments (6 oz per 128 gallon of drinking water administered either for 3, 5 or 7 days post-weaning). A typical nursery feeding program was followed: Phase 1 from d 0 to d 7, Phase2 from d 8 to d 21 and Phase 3 from d 22 to d4 2. They contain 23%, 21% and 19% crude protein respectively. The results showed no significant difference on final body weight among the treatments. All Activo treatments had improved (P < 0.05) feed conversion (Feed:Gain) when compared with the medicated treatment. Activo Liquid 5d treatment post-weaning had numerically lower mortality when compared with all the other treatments. In conclusion, the results of this trial showed that the supplementation of Activo Liquid for 5 d post-weaning at 6 oz/128 gallon of water can safely replace Mecadox 50 g/ton. More research is needed to validate the repeatability of these results and understand Activo Liquid’s mode of action as a powerful antimicrobial.