Sow diets supplemented
with copper and vitamins A and D result in better litters, trials conducted by
Jacques Matte have shown at the federal agriculture research station at
Sherbooke, Que.
“Supplementing copper
and vitamins A and D increased the weight of the newborn piglets and reduced
the weight difference between piglets in the same litter,” according to a
report from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
“At weaning, the
composition of their microbiota improved. With weight gain and enhanced
immunity due to more beneficial bacteria in the microbiota, the piglets'
disease resistance and growth potential were enhanced.”
As for piglets, Matte
found “the best way to increase copper and vitamins A and D in piglets during
lactation is through oral supplementation and exposure to certain types of
artificial radiation.
"Repeated UVB
(ultra-violet band) radiation during lactation appears to be the only treatment
that allows a gradual and continuous increase of vitamin D in piglets' blood,
which doubles in comparison to that of control piglets who are weaned at 21
days old," he wrote.
“This improvement in
the amount of copper and vitamins A and D in piglets ends with weaning and
cessation of supplementation.
“During and after
weaning, bovine colostrum is the best supplement to give to light-weight
piglets to improve their growth and quality of their microbiota.”
