AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF IN-FEED INCLUSION OF A NATURAL ZEOLITE (CL1NOPTILOLITE) ON HEALTH STATUS AND PERFORMANCE OF SOWS / GILTS AND THEIR LITTERS

摘要

During the last decades, zeolites have been used as additives in pig feeds. Despite the controversial results of several studies, it is generally considered that zeolites can contribute to increase animal production (1,2). The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of a long-term feeding scheme using natural clinoptilolite (CLI) on health status and performance of sows/gilts and their litters, as well as its compatibility with antimicrobials (AM) usually added in their feed.