Dietary fat preference and effects on performance of piglets at weaning

Abstract

ObjectiveAn experiment was to evaluate the interplay of dietary lipid sources and feeding regime in the transition from sow milk to solid food of abruptly weaned piglets.MethodsSoon after weaning, 144 piglets were selected and were trained over a 15 day period to experience gradually reducing dietary fat content from 12% to 6% for lard (L), soybean oil (S), and coconut oil (C) and their feeding behavior and diet preference then tested in a behavior observation experiment. Another 324 weaned piglets were used in three consecutive feeding experiments to measure the effect of different dietary fats on performance and feed choice in the four weeks after abrupt weaning. The lipid sources were used as supplements in a 3% crude fat corn/soya basal diet, with 6% of each being included to form diets 9C, 9S, and 9L respectively, and their effects on performance measured. Combinations of these diets were then further compared in fixed blends or free choice selection experiments.ResultsPiglets pre-trained to experience reducing lipid inclusion showed different subsequent preferences according to lipid source, with a preference for lard at 9%, soybean oil at 3%, and coconut oil at 6% inclusion rate (p<0.001). Following abrupt weaning, whilst after 4 weeks those fed 9C had the heaviest body weights (18.13 kg, p = 0.006). Piglets fed a fixed 1:1 blend of 9C+9S had a poorer feed conversion ratio (FCR = 1.80) than those fed a blend of 9C+9L (FCR = 1.4). The 9C and 9L combination groups showed better performance in both fixed blend and free choice feeding regimes.ConclusionAfter abrupt weaning, they still have dependence on high oleic acid lipids as found in sow milk. A feeding regime offering free choice combination of lipids might give the possibility for piglets to cope better with the transition at weaning, but further research is needed.

Effect of different sources and inclusion levels of dietary fat on productive performance and egg quality in laying hens raised under hot environmental conditions

“…This is possibly due to increased oxidative stress resulting from SO as compared to AF high in saturated fatty acids. Similar results of better performance of young pigs were observed when pigs were fed diets containing lard than when they were fed diets containing SO [29]. However, there was no additional benefit of increasing inclusion levels from 2.0% to 4.0% of both AF and SO on productive performance of laying hens raised under hot environmental conditions.…”

Efficacy of medium-chain fatty acid salts distilled from coconut oil against two enteric pathogen challenges in weanling piglets

“…Other authors, however, have described improvements in performance related to the supplementation of MCFA. Some works evaluating MCFA as an energy source, at higher doses (2.1–7.75%), registered growth improvements [6, 13, 46, 47] that could be justified by the more rapid digestion and absorption of these fatty acids. Improvements have also been seen in animals challenged with ETEC F4 or LPS [23, 48], however, not necessarily by using high doses.…”

“…Several published works can be found substituting fat sources with purified MCFA or alternative natural sources rich in MCFA, leading to improvements in the performance of piglets around weaning [12, 13]. Studies with healthy pigs [14–16] have demonstrated positive effects on growth performance, digestibility, and intestinal microbiota.…”

Effect of Dietary Extruded Linseed and Walnut Meal Mixture (8:1) on Performance and Plasma Protein Profile in Weaned Piglets

“…In modern pig production, weaning is still associated with nutritional, environmental and immune challenges that may lead to considerable economic losses to pork producers (Li et al, 2014;Weng, 2017). Generally, weaning period is characterized by decreased feed intake, altered gut integrity and increased concentrations of inflammatory markers in blood (Le Dividich and Sève, 2000;Pié et al, 2004;Montagne et al, 2007).…”