Large White Yorkshire Piglets Research Articles

Performance analysis of biodiesel derived from pork fat of swill and concentrate-fed pigs

With the escalating demand for sustainable energy solutions, unconventional sources are gaining attention, including the utilisation of pork fat for biodiesel production. This study investigates the influence of different pig feeding systems, namely swill and concentrate, on the characteristics and performance of biodiesel derived from pork oil. Twelve Large White Yorkshire piglets were divided into two treatments: one following standard feeding practices (T1), and the other exclusively fed with swill (T2). The pigs were slaughtered, and their fat was processed into biodiesel through transesterification. The fuel properties of the biodiesel were analysed, including kinematic viscosity, flash point, fire point, gross calorific value, and low-temperature fuel properties. Additionally, engine performance and exhaust emissions of a biodiesel blend (B20) derived from pork oil were evaluated and compared to commercial diesel fuel using a Kirloskar single-cylinder diesel engine connected to an eddy current dynamometer. Results indicate that both T1 and T2 B20 biodiesel exhibit favourable characteristics comparable to diesel, with promising fuel density, injection duration, mass flow rate, brake-specific fuel consumption, and brake thermal efficiency across various load conditions. Moreover, critical factors such as cetane number and gross calorific value suggest suitable ignition qualities and energy content, highlighting the potential of pork oil-derived biodiesel as a sustainable alternative fuel source. Keywords: Biodiesel, pork fat, swill, concentrate feeding systems

Dirt Score in Large White Yorkshire Piglets during Preweaning Period Reared on Cement Concrete Floor

An experiment was carried out on 24 Large White Yorkshire piglets of either sex at the pig unit of LFC of C.V.Sc., Rajendranagar, Hyderabad from birth to weaning. All experimental piglets were reared on normal conventional concrete flooring along with their mother till weaning (56 days). An evaluation of cleanliness (dirt scoring) was performed fortnightly during the experimental period. Pig cleanliness was assessed using a fivepoint scale on 4 anatomical areas: rear, back, and both flanks, and each area was given a score from 0 to 4. The observed fortnightly dirt score was 0.56 ± 0.03, 0.60 ± 0.02, 0.70 ± 0.02, and 0.97 ± 0.11 at first, second, third, and fourth fortnight respectively. There was a continuous increase in dirt score as the age advances. Statistical analysis revealed the mean dirt score at the fourth fortnight was significantly (P<0.01) different from the first, second, third, and overall mean dirt score.

Dirt Score in Large White Yorkshire Piglets during the Postweaning Period Reared on Different Floor Types

An experiment was carried out on 24 Large White Yorkshire piglets of either sex at the pig unit of LFC of C.V.Sc., Rajendranagar, Hyderabad from weaning (56days) to 126 days. Piglets were reared on four types of flooring systems i.e., T1 (control group) reared on the concrete floor, T2 rubber mat, T3 elevated slatted floor, and T4 reared on soil floor. The floor space provided was 1.5 m2 per piglet during the post-weaning period. Pig cleanliness was assessed using a five-point scale on 4 anatomical areas: rear, back, and both flanks, and each area was given a score from 0 to 4. The cleanliness score was increased as the age advanced from first to ninth fortnight in all floor types. The overall mean cleanliness scores of LWY piglets maintained on four different floors was 2.21 ± 0.06, 2.57 ± 0.04, 0.63 ± 0.02, and 2.44 ± 0.03 in concrete, rubber mat, elevated slatted, and soil floor respectively. The overall mean dirt score of piglets reared on rubber mat floor was significantly (P<.0.01) higher than the piglets on the elevated slatted floor, but it was comparable with concrete and soil floor. The higher cleanliness score of the piglets reared on rubber mat floor were dirtier than piglets on concrete and soil floor whereas, the piglets reared on elevated slatted (low score) were cleaner than rubber mat, soil, and concrete floors.

Effect of different floor types on haemato-biochemical parameters in large white Yorkshire piglets during postweaning period

Effect of different floor types on haemato-biochemical parameters in large white Yorkshire piglets during postweaning period

Effect of Home-made Cooked Feed vs. Balanced Feed on Growth Performance and Benefit-Cost Ratio of Ghungroo and Large White Yorkshire Piglets Reared under Intensive System in Sundarban Area of West Bengal, India

Aims: The present study was carried out to analyze the growth performance and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of Ghungroo and Large White Yorkshire (LWY) piglets reared under intensive housing by providing home-made cooked feeds and balanced feed. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted for a period of four months in Sundarban area of West Bengal, India. Methodology: A total of 12 (six males and six females) piglets of each grower weaned Ghungroo and LWY piglets were randomly selected. For control group, commercially available grower pig ration were offered and for treatment group, locally available cooked feeds were offered. The body weight (kg) measurements of both the groups were taken every month from 2 to 6 months of age. Benefit-cost ratio (BCR) was calculated. Results: The body weights obtained in groups fed with locally available cooked feeds and that of balanced ration are significantly different (P<0.05) to each other. The body weight of both Ghungroo and Large White Yorkshire (LWY) piglets in treatment group was significantly (P<0.05) less than that of the control group from 3 to 6 months of age. LWY piglets had significantly (P˂0.05) higher body weight than Ghungroo piglets in both control and treatment groups. The BCR of LWY pigs was more when compared to that of Ghungroo pigs in both control and treatment groups. It was also observed that BCR for both Ghungroo and LWY piglets was more in control groups in comparison with treatment groups. Conclusion: Thus, it can be concluded that attainment of feasible body weight was not possible by only feeding locally available cooked feeds to Ghungroo and LWY piglets and so, piglets should be offered balanced ration for a profitable pig farming.

Effect of dietary supplementation of encapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus acidilactici probiotics on growth performance and intestinal histomorphology in large white yorkshire piglets

Effect of dietary supplementation of encapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus acidilactici probiotics on growth performance and intestinal histomorphology in large white yorkshire piglets

Effect of feeding low protein diets supplemented with selected essential amino acids on growth performance and gut health in early weaned Large White Yorkshire piglets

A study was conducted to assess the effect of feeding low protein diets supplemented with selected amino acids on growth performance and gut health in early weaned Large White Yorkshire piglets. Thirty Large White Yorkshire female piglets belonging to Centre for Pig Production and Research, Mannuthy, weaned at 21 days of age were allotted to three dietary treatment groups (T1, T2 and T3) with five replicates for each treatment. Piglets were fed pre-starter ration till they gained a body weight of 5 kg and then on starter ration from 5 to 18 kg body weight. The dietary protein in treatments T2 and T3 were reduced by 15 and 25 per cent respectively than that of control treatment (T1). Five amino acids viz., lysine, methionine, threonine, valine and isoleucine were supplemented to all treatment groups to meet the requirements as per NRC (1998). Body weights of animals were taken at weekly intervals. There was no significant difference in average body weight among three treatment groups from first to third week. From fourth to eleventh week, the average weekly body weight of T1 was significantly higher than T3. The average daily gain was significantly different among three treatment groups with highest values observed for group T1, followed by T2 and T3. The feed conversion efficiency was statistically similar among treatment groups. Total viable count and coliform count were significantly lower in the faeces of piglets fed with low protein diets, indicating a reduction in microbial population in faeces of piglets in relation to reduction in dietary protein level. From the overall results, it could be concluded that reducing the dietary protein levels had resulted in reduced growth performance in early weaned piglets, in spite of being supplemented with selected essential amino acids

Growth performance of Large White Yorkshire piglets through dietary supplementation of Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) root powder

An experiment was conducted with 18 pure breed large white Yorkshire sows to investigate the effect of groundroot powder of shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) on the performance of piglets till 4th week postpartum (weaning).All the 18 sows were of 1st to 4th parity and were divided into 3 groups (T1, T2 and control) comprising of 6 sowsin each group respectively. Sows in control group were fed with basal diet (As per NRC 1998) while, sows in T1and T2 were subjected to shatavari supplementation @ 100 mg and 200 mg/kg body weight respectively, from day84 of gestation till 4th week postpartum. From the present study it can be concluded that dietary supplementation ofshatavari showed a significant result in the treatment groups in the 4th week postpartum. Moreover, it also reducedthe disease occurrence in the treatment groups as compared to the control.

Effect of Fermented Liquid Feed (FLF) on Performance and Feed Efficiency of Large White Yorkshire (LWY) Pigs under Tropical Climate of North-East India

Background: Feeding of fermented feed is not popular among the pig farmers inspite of manifold advantages as preparation is laborious, involves technical knowledge requiring considerable time. An attempt was made to standardise a preparation method of FLF and comparative assessment was made with dry and liquid feed in LWY pigs. Methods: Twenty-four weaned LWY piglets (11.45±2.42 to 11.46±2.37 kg) were assigned - dry feed (T1), Liquid feed (T2), liquid feed fermented with Lactobacillus acidophilus (T3) and liquid feed fermented with Enterococcus faecium (T4) in a 180 days feeding trial. Liquid feed was prepared by mixing feed and water at 1:2 (w/w) and the FLFs were prepared by fermenting liquid feed with Lactobacillus acidophilus for T3 and Enterococcus faecium for T4. Pigs were fed individually ad libitum considering each piglet as replicate. Nutrient digestibility was estimated at 18th and 30th week of age conducting two feeding trials. Carcass traits and sensory quality of pork were evaluated by slaughtering 3 pigs from each treatment at the end of trial. Result: No significant effect (P greater than 0.05) of FLFs was observed in feed intake in the growing phase, but it was significantly high in T3 and T4 in the finishing phase. Significantly (P less than 0.05) high body weight gain with improvement of 17.76% in T3 and 17.71% in T4 were recorded. Apparent nutrient digestibility was better in T3 and T4 and crude protein digestibility was significantly (P less than 0.05) high in T3 in finishing phase. Significantly improved feed efficiency was recorded for T3 and T4. The feeding cost/kg body weight gain was Rs. 128.36, 120.43, 112.87 and 115.51, respectively for T1, T2, T3 and T4. Significantly high dressing% and carcass length with positive effect on water holding capacity were observed for feeding FLFs, but without any significant effect on proximate composition and sensory attributes of pork.

Small intestinal mucosal cells in piglets fed with probiotic and zinc: a qualitative and quantitative microanatomical study.

Probiotics and zinc are commonly used and beneficial in pig production. This work aimed to assess the effects of probiotic and zinc on the mucosal cells of the small intestine in respect to digestive capacity and immunity in pre- and post-weaned piglets. Eighteen Large White Yorkshire piglets were divided equally into control and treatment groups. The piglets were maintained in standard management conditions and were weaned at 28 days of age. The treatment group of piglets fed a mixture of probiotics orally at 1.25 × 109 CFU/day and zinc at 2000 ppm/day from birth to 10 days of age. At three different age-groups viz. day 20 (pre-weaning) and, day 30 and day 60 (post-weaning), the animals were sacrificed. For histomorphology, the tissue samples were processed and stained with Mayer's haematoxylin and eosin for routine study, combined periodic acid-Schiff-Alcian blue for mucopolysaccharides and Masson-Hamperl argentaffin technique for argentaffin cells. The stained slides were observed under the microscope. The samples were processed as per the standard procedure for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The statistical analysis of the data using the appropriate statistical tests was also conducted. The mucosal epithelium of villi and crypts were lined by enterocytes, goblet cells, argentaffin cells, microfold (M-cell) cells, tuft cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes. The multipotent stem cells were located at the crypt base. The length of the enterocyte microvilli was significantly longer (p < 0.05) in the treatment group of piglets. The number of different types of goblet cells and argentaffin cells was more in treated piglets irrespective of segments of intestine and age. The intraepithelial lymphocytes were located in apical, nuclear and basal positions in the lining epithelium of both villus tip and base with their significant increase in the treatment group of piglets. The transmission electron microscopy revealed the frequent occurrence of tuft cells in the lining mucosa of the small intestine in treated piglets. Dietary supplementation of probiotic and zinc induced the number of different mucosal cells of villi and crypts in the small intestine that might suggest the greater absorptive capacity of nutrients and effective immunity in critical pre and post-weaned piglets.

Haematological Traits of Induced Hypovolemic Large White Yorkshire Piglets as Affected by Feeding them Milk of Pantja Goats and Black Badri Cows

Background: Pig is recognized as an advantageous non-rodent animal model within a large number of biomedical research areas and of xenotransplantation of animal organs into humans. People prefer taking goat milk during dengue fever like conditions for recovery from low blood constituents, particularly the blood platelets, without any scientific proof. Methods: Haemoglobin, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and blood platelets count were studied in 2.5 months old 18 experimentally induced hypovolemic Large White Yorkshire (LWY) piglets at CVASc., GBPUAT, Pantnagar after feeding them milk of Pantja goats and black Badri cows over a period of 30 days during Oct.–Nov. 2019 and May-June 2020. Hypovolemia in piglets was achieved by withdrawing their 15% of total estimated blood volume (@ 7.5% in each time on day 1st and 3rd of experiment), followed by providing them with milk, which was double the amount of blood withdrawn, for 30 days. Control group (T1) piglets (6 no.) were maintained on basal diet, whereas group T2 and T3 piglets were given milk of Pantja goats and black Badri cows, respectively. Blood samples for testing were collected on 1st, 3rd, 7th, 15th and 30th day.Result: Average normal blood picture of weaned LWY piglets for haemoglobin (g/dl), ESR (mm/hr) and platelets count (105 cells/ mm3) was 11.36 ± 0.20, 10.00± 2.01, 3.1767 ± 0.2577, respectively. For haemoglobin and ESR, the values on testing days and the overall values for group T1, T2 and T3 piglets did not show any significant variation. However, the pooled values for haemoglobin were significantly different (P less than 0.01) on various testing days, being higher on day 1st and 30th than on 3rd, 7th and 15th day, implying that normal haemoglobin level was regained on 30th day of hypovolemia. The pooled values for ESR were significantly different (P less than 0.05) on various testing days, being higher on day 1st and 3rd only, which may be due to simultaneous increase in total erythrocyte counts. Overall mean platelets count (x105 cells/ mm3) for LWY piglets was 3.2570± 0.0890 and their values in group T1, T2 and T3 piglets were 3.0983±0.1675, 3.0820±0.1490 and 3.5907±0.1885, respectively, being significantly higher (P less than 0.05) for black Badri cow milk fed group piglets. This may imply usefulness of black Badri cow milk over Pantja goat milk in improving blood platelets count in human, considering pig a good animal model for human within a large number of biomedical researches.

Alterations of Small Intestinal Morphology on Villi and Crypts after Feeding Probiotic and Zinc in Pre and Post-weaned Piglets

Background: Neonatal and early post-weaned piglet mortality causes huge economic losses to the farmers. The beneficial effect of probiotic and zinc in respect to the gut health in piglets has already been established. Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate age-related changes and the effect of dietary inclusion of probiotic and zinc on morphological and morphometrical characteristics on villi and crypts of the small intestine in pre and post-weaned piglets.Methods: A total of 18 Large White Yorkshire piglets, irrespective of sex were divided into three different age-groups [pre-weaning (20 days old, n = 3) and, post-weaning (30 days old, n = 3) and (60 days old, n = 3)]. The piglets were weaned at 28 days of age. They were divided into control group (C) fed with basal diet and treatment group (T) fed with combined probiotic and zinc oral supplement along with the basal diet. After sacrifice the animals, tissue samples were collected and processed for routine stain and SEM. The alterations on morphology and morphometry of villi and crypts were recorded both in the control and treatment group of piglets. Result: The villus height and width and crypt depth and width were increased, however, the villus crypt ratio was found to be lower in the treatment group of piglets. The villus and crypt enlargement factor showing higher numerical values in the piglets fed with probiotic and zinc than the control group of piglets. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a clear extrusion zone with prominent shedding of cells in the villi of jejunum and ileum in the treatment group of piglets at day 30 and 60.

Effect of Jaggery Filter Cake Supplementation on Nutrient Digestibility in Grower and Finisher Large White Yorkshire Pigs

Jaggery filter cake (JFC) is scum obtained while making Jaggery. Keeping the importance of Jaggery filter cake as un conventional feed in economic pig feeding, the study was conducted on digestibility of JFC in growing and finisher stage of Large White Yorkshire pigs fed on different levels of Jaggery filter cake. The experiment was designed using 30 Large White Yorkshire piglets (3 ½ month old), randomly divided and maintained on 5 dietary treatment groups, viz. group I: concentrate only, group II: concentrate +250 g JFC, group III: concentrate +500 g JFC, group IV: concentrate +750 g JFC and group V: ad lib. JFC only. Jaggery filter cake supplementation was increased in the ratio of 50:100:150 g in group II, III, IV respectively, every fortnight during growing stage and every week during finishing stage. Digestive trial was conducted once during the growing and finisher period as per standard procedure. During growing stage the dry matter digestibility (%) was 70.92 ± 1.38, 69.66 ± 1.06, 68.94 ± 0.79, 70.60 ± 1.34 and 73.10 ± 1.26 and during finishing stage it was 74.00 ± 1.15, 71.36 ± 0.40, 75.49 ± 1.38, 75.20 ± 0.60 and 73.89 ± 1.30 in groups I, II, III, IV and V, respectively. During growing stage DM digestibility was higher in group V than other the groups, however, there was no significant difference in DM digestibility among the groups. Similar trend was also observed in OM, CP, EE and CF. However, highly significant (P

Effect of Split up Suckling on the Growth Performance, Survivability and Economics of Large White Yorkshire Piglets

Effect of Split up Suckling on the Growth Performance, Survivability and Economics of Large White Yorkshire Piglets

Effect of weight and age based split weaning on growth performances and welfare of Large White Yorkshire piglets

With an objective to minimize the weaning stress and to maximize the welfare, early weaning was combined with split weaning in 41 piglets of Large White Yorkshire (LWY). Weaning method was either “Weight Based Early or Split Weaning” i.e. TES or “Conventional Weaning” i.e. TC and treated as control. The weaning age in TC was 56 days. In TES, heavier (&gt; 1.5 kg) medium weighing (1.0-1.5 kg) and lighter (&gt; 1.0 kg) piglets were weaned at 30 (TESH), 37 days (TESM) and 42 days (TESL), respectively. Different records pertaining to body weight, feed consumption, haematological profiles etc. were collected up to 120 days. At the end of the study period, body weight of piglets was almost equal in both groups. The overall ADG at the end of study period was almost equal in all three sub-groups and in control. FCR of piglets under split and conventional weaning groups was significantly better (P&gt;0.05) in TESH than Tc group, both during pre- and post-weaning period. The PCV (%) and TLC value under different sub-groups of split-weaned piglets were almost similar to different sub-groups of conventionally weaned piglets and were within normal range. There were significant differences among haemoglobin level among different sub-group of TES and Tc and it was within the range of normal reference value. From the present study it can be concluded that split weaned piglets performed almost equally to conventionally weaned piglets.

Effect of supplementation of lecithin and carnitine on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in pigs fed high-fat diet.

Aim:To study the effect of dietary supplementation of lecithin and carnitine on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in pigs fed high-fat diet.Materials and Methods:A total of 30 weaned female large white Yorkshire piglets of 2 months of age were selected and randomly divided into three groups allotted to three dietary treatments, T1 - Control ration as per the National Research Council nutrient requirement, T2 - Control ration plus 5% fat, and T3 - T2 plus 0.5% lecithin plus 150 mg/kg carnitine. The total dry matter (DM) intake, fortnightly body weight of each individual animal was recorded. Digestibility trial was conducted toward the end of the experiment to determine the digestibility coefficient of various nutrients.Results:There was a significant improvement (p<0.01) observed for pigs under supplementary groups T2 and T3 than that of control group (T1) with regards to growth parameters studied such as total DM intake, average final body weight and total weight gain whereas among supplementary groups, pigs reared on T3 group had better intake (p<0.01) when compared to T2 group. Statistical analysis of data revealed that no differences were observed (p>0.05) among the three treatments on average daily gain, feed conversion efficiency, and nutrient digestibility during the overall period.Conclusion:It was concluded that the dietary inclusion of animal fat at 5% level or animal fat along with lecithin (0.5%) and carnitine (150 mg/kg) improved the growth performance in pigs than non-supplemented group and from the economic point of view, dietary incorporation of animal fat at 5% would be beneficial for improving growth in pigs without dietary modifiers.

Effect of Ghee Residue on Blood Profile of Large White Yorkshire Pigs

Objective: To expose the effect of ghee residue on blood profile of large white Yorkshire pigs. Methods/Analysis: A biological trial was conducted for 140 days in 24 weaned Large White Yorkshire piglets and randomly allotted into four different treatments with 6 animals in each group from 61 to 200 days of age. Four Large White Yorkshire pigs from each group in the growth trial were selected randomly and were kept off feed for a period of 12 hours prior to slaughter but given ad libitum access to water. They were stunned with electrical stunner and then dressed as per standard procedure. The blood samples were collected from jugular vein of animals of each group prior to slaughter and estimated their parameters. Findings: Haematological profiles were not influenced by inclusion of ghee residue even up to 15 per cent in pig diets. Ghee residue inclusion in pig diets up to 15 per cent level highly reduced serum cholesterol and total protein levels and had no influence on serum glucose, calcium and phosphorus.

Effect of Ghee Residue on Loin Eye Muscle Fatty Acids of Large White Yorkshire Pigs

Objective: To expose the effect of ghee residue on loin eye muscle fatty acids of large white Yorkshire pigs. Methods/ Analysis: A biological trial was conducted for 140 days in 24 weaned Large White Yorkshire piglets and randomly allotted into four different treatments with 6 animals in each group from 61 to 200 days of age. Four Large White Yorkshire pigs from each group in the growth trial were selected randomly and were kept off feed for a period of 12 hours prior to slaughter but given ad libitum access to water. They were stunned with electrical stunner and then dressed as per standard procedure. The loin eye muscle was collected and estimated for fatty acids. Findings: Fatty acid profile in loin eye muscle in Large White Yorkshire pigs by incorporation of graded levels (0, 5, 10 and 15 per cent) suggested that oleic acid was significantly (p<0.05) higher in ghee residue supplemented diets compared to control diet. The other essential fatty acids like linoleic and linolenic acids were not influenced by addition of ghee residue in pig diets. Keywords: Ghee Residue, Fatty Acid profile, Loin Eye Muscle

Influence of early weaning on the behavioural patterns and growth performance in large white Yorkshire (LWY) piglets

The behavioural pattern and growth performance of three groups of LWY piglets weaned at different ages was studied for six months. The first, second and third groups were weaned at 25, 40 and 56 days, respectively. The playing and huddling behavior was more in group 1 piglets. While fighting, standing, locomotion and tail biting behavior was more in group 2 piglets. Whereas the lying behavior was more in group 3 piglets. There was a significant difference (P is less than 0.01) among the three groups of piglets for all behavioral patterns. The post weaning weight (kg) gains reached 56.63 ± 0.41, 65.03 ± 0.36 and 63.09 ± 0.38 Kg for group 1, group 2 and group 3 respectively, at the end of study period. A significant difference (P is less than 0.01) was observed among the three groups for all the fortnightly interval body weights. The mean average daily gain for group 1, 2 and 3 was 0.33, 0.38 and 0.36 respectively. Significant difference (P is less than 0.01) had been observed between the groups for average daily gain. The present study had suggested that early weaning at 40days age was more advantageous than 25 days age and conventional 56days weaning age.

Effect of artificial suckling devices on behaviour, adaptation pattern and growth performance of early weaned piglets

Eighteen Large White Yorkshire piglets weaned at 10 ±2 days were divided randomly into three groups (n=6) and each group was allotted to circular (T1), horizontal (T2) device and control (T3). Piglets in T3 were reared with sow through natural suckling. Piglets were acclimatised for 5 days; during this period milk was given at the rate 25 ml per piglets four times daily. Further, during first, second, third and forth fortnights feeding continued at the rate of 100, 150 and 200 ml for four, three and two times daily in T1 and T2 devices respectively. Piglets were observed for behaviour, adaptation pattern and average milk consumption time daily, while body weight gained was recorded fortnightly. 100% of piglets in T3 showed non-nutritive suckling, belly nosing, massaging and teat order behaviours, but no such observations were recorded in T1 and T2. Adaptation pattern of piglets in T1 was 66.7 % and 100% in T2 and T3. Effects of suckling devices on average milk consumption time were 10.09 % and 13.79 % lower (Pe″0.05) in T1 and T2 device respectively compared to T3. Mean body weight gain in T1 and T2 devices were 5.12% and 16.89 % higher than T3. Horizontal suckling device (T2) performed better than T1 and T3 (control). Hence it can be recommended for early weaning in piglets.