Stabilizing piglet intestinal health with prebiotics

摘要

Research finds prebiotics offer pig producers a chance to improve performance and the bottom line. Profitable and healthy piglet rearing starts with the proper development of intestinal flora and prebiotics to stimulate the growth of desired micro-organisms and reduce the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the intestinal tract. However, as intensive livestock husbandry is marked by an early weaning, the development of the gastro intestinal tract is already severely challenged in the first weeks of the young piglets' life. Piglets experience a sudden separation from the sow and subsequently suffer social stress by regrouping. In addition, a piglet's digestive system is challenged by the change from milk to a solid diet. A piglet's secretion of hydrochloric acid is not yet fully developed, while enzyme activity in the pancreas is strongly limited as a result of the stress experienced. The formation of villous atrophy in the small intestine is a further consequence.