A total of 1,500 piglets were used in a completely randomized experimental block design to study the effects of beta-glucon level (control, 60, 120, 180, and 240g per ton of diet) on daily weight gain, body weight, daily feed intake and feed: weight gain ratio from 21 to 35, 21 to 49 and from 21 to 60 days of age Positive and significant linear effects of beta-gluton on body weight and daily weight gain of piglets from 21 to 60 days of age were observed. The inclusion of 240g of beta-gluton in diet resulted in 800g increase in body weight which corresponds to 3.25% increase in body weight and 4.7% increase in daily weight gain in comparison to animals of the control group. No effects of beta-gluton supplementation on feed intake, feed: weight gain ratio and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity or animal immune response were observed.
piglet; beta-glucan; performance; immune system; superoxide dismutase
