The influence of dietary supplementation with blended essential oil on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles and fecal characteristics was evaluated in 125 crossed ((Duroc×Yorkshire)×Landrace) pigs (6.21±0.20 kg initial body weight and 21 d average age). The pigs were allotted to the following treatments: i) NC (antibiotic free diet), ii) PC (NC diet+44 ppm tylosin), iii) T1 (NC diet+0.1% essential oil), iv) T2 (NC diet+0.1% essential oil (with 0.3% Benzoic acid)) and v) T3 (NC+22 ppm tylosin and 0.05% essential oil). Average daily gain (ADG) was improved in the T2 group on d 14 (p<0.05). In addition, nutrient digestibility was partially affected (both positively and negatively) by the treatments. Furthermore, the immune system was stimulated and the fecal pH and fecal noxious gases were improved in pigs that received the diets supplemented with essential oil (p<0.05). The appearance and score of diarrhea also tended to be lower in pigs that were subjected to the essential oil treatments. Collectively, the results of this study indicate that supplementation of the diet with blended essential oils could replace treatment with antibiotics to improve growth performance and fecal characteristics.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of fermented oat meal on growth performance, diarrhea incidence, fecal microorganisms, and emission gas in weaned pigs. A total of 80 crossbred piglets (7.31 ± 0.24 kg) weaned at 21 days of age were assigned to treatments in a randomized complete block design based on the initial body weight (BW). This experiment included 2 phases. In the first phase (from 0 to 21 d), there were 5 treatments: T1 (15% nature oat), T2 (3.7% fermented oat + 11.3% nature oat), T3 (7.5% fermented oat + 7.5% nature oat), T4 (11.3% fermented oat + 3.7% nature oat), T5 (15% fermented oat). In the second phase (from 21 to 35 d): T1 (7% nature oat), T2 (1.75% fermented oat + 5.25% nature oat), T3 (3.5% fermented oat + 3.5% nature oat), T4 (5.25% fermented oat + 1.75% nature oat), T5 (7% fermented oat). Pigs had access to feed and water ad libitum and their BW and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were measured for each phase throughout the duration of the experiment. During the first phase,the use of 7.5%, 11.3% and 15% fermented oat to replace nature oat improvedaverage daily gain (ADG) and gain/feed ratio (G/F) (P<0.05). . During the second phase, the use of 3.5%, 5.3%, and 7% fermented oat to substitute nature increased ADG. Entire period of this experiment, T3 and T4 treatments were presented higher ADG, G/F compared with T1 and T2 treatments. Different levels of fermented oat didnot affect diarrhea incidence score, digestibility, fecal microorganisms and emission gas. It is concluded thatfermented oat can serve as an alternative feed ingredient for possibly replacing the use of nature oat.