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Performance effect of combined microbial regulators in antibiotic free piglet feed
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by AVEVE Biochem, Belgium or a long time, antibiotics have been prophylactically used to overcome the influence of microbial imbalances and make piglets less sensitive for potential pathogens. Nowadays, however, there is worldwide increasing pressure of regulations to reduce prophylactic as well as curative usage of antibiotics in farm animals. Microbial regulators – natural, moreover synergistically combined ingredients - are the most recently available alternatives of a step-by-step solution.
Weaning dip – the foreseeable peril
Furthermore, high productivity requires an optimal intestinal health and immunity as production animals are pushed to their physical limits. Consequently, even the slightest intestinal imbalance can compromise top production. The weaning dip has been well researched and documented and as such can also be described as piglets being m5ore vulnerable for pathogens due to a lack of feed intake. The absence of feed in a piglet’s gut system results in a microbial imbalance, leading to higher occurrences of diseases. Thus, this short weaning phase in a pig’s life can have far-reaching consequences, negatively affecting the pig’s entire rearing period (see Figure 1). Strengthening the microbial gut flora and increasing feed intake includes the addition of medium-chain glycerides and essential oils, well balancing the intestinal microbial community and immune reactions, meanwhile enhancing proliferation of enterocytes. Such microbial regulators support piglets to maintain a healthier status, last but not least for better performance effects. Figure 1
Figure 2 Mouth
Medium-chain Glycerides
MCFAs
Acids and Acidifiers Protected Acids and Acidifiers
62 | June 2018 - Milling and Grain
Stomach
Small intestine
Large intestine