74 Isotonic electrolyte solution improves pig wean to finish performance

Abstract

Abstract Nutritional strategies to enhance intestinal development, caloric intake, and hydration are advantageous to newborn and weaned pigs by aiding in growth performance and survivability. However, the lifetime benefit of such strategies in commercial pigs has been poorly elucidated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an isotonic electrolyte supplementation on lifetime pig performance. Three hundred ninety-three piglets (Duroc sires by Yorkshire-Landrace F1 females; 1.63 ± 0.38 kg birthweight) born from 40 sows were allotted to one of two treatments: 1) supplementation of TonistyPx (TON+) or 2) no supplementation of TonisityPx (CON). TON+ pigs were given a liquid solution from d 2 to 8 (500 mL/litter/d). All pigs were weaned and shipped to a wean-to-finish site, and randomly allotted by litter/supplemental treatment across two barns with identical configuration (12 pens/treatment; 15-17 pigs/pen). Once allocated, TON+ pens were given a liquid solution (5.68 L/pen/d) on the day of placement and a gruel solution on day 2 and 3 post placement. Individual pig BW was recorded at birth, weaning, end of nursery and end of finishing period. From birth to weaning CON pigs tended to have increased weaning BW compared to TON+ pigs (5.63 vs. 5.38, P < 0.10). At the end of the 42d nursery in which all pigs were fed the same common diets with supplementation from d 0 to 3 post-weaning, no differences in BW were reported between CON and TON+ pigs (25.62 vs. 25.43 kg, P >0.05). However, at the end of the grow-finish period the TON+ pigs were 4.63% heavier compared to CON pigs (P < 0.01). No numerical differences in mortality were reported in nursery or grow-finish periods. In summary, isotonic electrolyte supplementation to newborn and weaned pigs resulted in a 5.87 kg heavier BW at the end of the finisher period.