The inclusion of four lactose levels (0, 7, 14 and 21%) in pre-starter diets for piglets was studied to determine the best level of lactose inclusion in weanling diets at this age. The experimental diets were fed from the weaning day to 14 days post weaning, but the performance was followed until the end of the nursery phase, at 35 days post weaning. The average daily gain (ADG) and the daily intake (CRD) from 0 to 14 days linearly increased (P<0.002, Y=151+3.26X and P<0.0002, Y=247+4.04X, respectively), while feed: gain ratio (C/A) showed linear reduction (P<0.08, Y=1.73-0.011X) as the dietary lactose levels increased. In the overall period of nursery (0 to 35 days), ADG and total weight gain (GPT) linearly improved (P<0.14, Y=339+6X, Y=11.86+0.23X, respectively), as the dietary lactose levels increased. The average live weight at 14 days (PM14), at 28 days (PM28) and at 35 days (PM35) post weaning also linearly improved (P<0.006, Y=9.90+0.027X, P<0.08, Y=17.06+0.024X and P<0.14, Y=19.81+0.223X, respectively) as the dietary lactose levels increased. It was concluded that feeding diets containing lactose on two first weeks post weaning improved the piglets performance weaned at 21 days of age. The best level of lactose inclusion in weanling diets at this age will depend on an evaluation of the additional cost of this supplementation related to the improvement at the performance.
carbohydrates sources; performance; pre-starter phase; starter phase; weaning
