EffectofTwoDirect-FedMicrobialsandMycotoxinBinderonPerformance and Blood Parameters of Weaned Pigs

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of multi-strain direct-fed microbials, mycotoxin binder and yeast
culture on the growth performance and blood parameters of weaned pigs. Sixty four (64) crossbred (Landrace ×
Large White) weaned pigs with an average initial weight of 5.9 ±0.3 kg (± SE) were assigned to four dietary
treatments in a completely randomised design. Each treatment had four replicates of four pigs each. Pigs on T1
were given control diet without any additive, while pigs on T2, T3 and T4 were fed the same diet as in T1, to
which multi-strain direct-fed microbials, mycotoxin binder (bentonite) and yeast culture were added respectively
and the study lasted for 56 days. There were significant (P<0.05) differences in daily feed intake and daily weight
gains, thereby resulting in variation in the final body weights across the groups. Pigs on T2 had the highest daily
feed intake (kg) and cost of feed consumed per day (₦) but had the least feed conversion ratio and feed cost per
kilogram weight gain (N/kg). The highest final body weight (20.90kg) was observed in pigs on treatment 2, while
the least final body weight of 16.95kg was recorded with for pigs on treatment 4. The haematological parameters
were within the normal range for healthy pigs and there was a significant effect of the feed additives on the serum
biochemical parameters such as AST, ALT, ALP, glucose and albumin. It could be concluded that multi-strain
direct-fed microbial promoted growth over and above the mycotoxin binder and yeast culture in weaned pigs and
none of the feed additives had any deleterious effect on the health status of the weaned pigs.