'The most effective additive into feed immediately post weaning was not a yeast product or a herb but simply water. The simple addition of a limited amount of water to small quantities of feed encouraged intake and so encouraged the pigs to rapidly consume solid feed post weaning'. The Achilles heel of most pig units is the failure to achieve potential performance of piglets in the first few weeks post weaning. The knock-on effect from this is seen as reduced growth through to bacon. But more important is the underlying effect of reduced feed efficiency and poorer health as a result of gut damage in those crucial first days post weaning. Analysis of growth records on many units points to this crucial phase in the piglet's life as being fundamentalto future profitability. Evidence now points to the first mouthfuls of feed as having much more significance than hitherto recognised and, indeed, it is early consumption of feed which has the greatest impact on gut integrity and health.
展开▼
