Abstract

JUNQUEIRA, Otto Mack et al. Use of additives in feed for swine in nursery, growing and finishing phases. R. Bras. Zootec. [online]. 2009, vol.38, n.12, pp. 2394-2400. ISSN 1516-3598.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1516-35982009001200015.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotic and sodium gluconate for swine from 28 to 142 days of age, corresponding to the nursery, growing and finishing phases. One hundred and sixty-eight piglets were used weaned at 21 days in a randomized complete design in 42 pens with four male piglets in each experimental unit with six replications and seven treatments: control basal feed; basal feed + antibiotic; basal feed + probiotic; basal feed + prebiotic; basal feed + probiotic + prebiotic (symbiotic); basal feed + sodium gluconate; basal feed + sodium gluconate + probiotic. The animals performance differed among he treatmentsand was best in the animals that received feed with additive from 28 to 142 days of age. Among the feeds with additive, symbiotic was more efficient, presenting the best results in weight gain and feed conversion. Similarly, the addition of sodium + probiotic, prebiotic and probiotic in the feeds was more efficient than antibiotic addition. The use of the evaluated additives substituting the antibiotics did not harm the or the intestinal morphometry. The combination of probiotic and prebiotic (symbiotic) improves the swine performance in the nursery, growing and finishing phases.

Keywords : antibiotic; prebiotic; probiotic; sodium gluconate; symbiotic.