Feed additives for pigs: what are they, rules for selection and use

Inclusion of feed additives for pigs stimulates growth. With a balanced diet, good keeping conditions, up to 4% increases daily gain, increases feed intake by 0.2-1.4%, improves conversion (the ratio of the weight of consumed feed to the weight of finished products) to the established norm of 2.5-3.9% .

What are feed additives

In pig breeding, growth stimulants are included in the diet of animals to quickly gain live weight. Their purpose: activating protein synthesis, improving the absorption of nutrients, breaking down complex substances into an easily digestible form.

Growth-promoting pig feed additive categories:

enzymatic;
hormonal;
biological supplements and vitamin supplements;
phosphatides;
antibiotics (feed);
probiotics.

Hormonal

Hormonal stimulants activate the endocrine system of pigs. Preparations (anabolics) contain sex hormones, they are produced in the form of injections:

Nandrolone, Laurobolin, Retabolil administered intramuscularly;
ampoules of DES, Sinestrol are implanted under the skin in the area behind the ear, they dissolve within 6-9 months.

Hormon injections are given once every 2-3 weeks.

Enzymatic

The appointment of enzyme feed additives for pigs is to improve digestion, activate the processes of digestion of feed in order to maximize the absorption of nutrients.Enzyme extracts are produced from the entrails of adult pigs. Use the liver, spleen, kidneys. The stimulator is injected under the skin in the form of a solution once every 10 days. Nucleopeptide additive is popular among pig breeders.

The drug starts to be injected subcutaneously from the age of one month, ends 10 days before slaughter.

Feed antibiotics

Antibiotics inhibit the growth of pathogenic intestinal microflora, enhance immunity. The body of pigs does not waste energy on fighting infections, so there is an active set of muscle mass. According to statistics, taking Cormarin, Tetracycline, Vitamycin, Biovit-40, Kormogrizin gives weight gain up to 15-20%.

Phosphatides

Phosphatides contain fatty acids, polyhydric alcohols, phosphoric acid, substances that improve protein metabolism, nutrient digestibility. Phosphatides are obtained from vegetable oils by the extraction method, they are produced in the form of a viscous, brown emulsion.When serving, it is diluted with water, added to the drinkers for young animals.

Vitamin supplements and dietary supplements

These groups of growth promoters are used by farmers, industrial enterprises, owners of household farms. The components contained in the supplements contribute to the rapid formation of tissues. Bioadditives increase the nutritional value of basic feeds, improve their digestibility. On the market, this type of supplement is represented by:

premixes;
PMVD - protein-mineral vitamin supplements;
natural acids.

BMVD and premixes are not complete feeds. They are mixed into feed. The percentage of premixes in the diet is 1-5%, BMVD - 10-30%. Natural acids - succinic, glutamic, citric, also stimulate growth. They are given as an aqueous solution with food. The dose is calculated based on the weight of the animal.

Vitamin complexes are represented by tablets, powders, solutions for injections (intramuscular, subcutaneous). They are prescribed to animals if there are no BMVD in the diet. Useful elements are found in substances of organic and mineral origin.

Phosphorus Vitamins Calcium

Ash, meat and bone, bone meal
Feed yeast, Azobacterin
Feed chalk, ash, meat and bone meal

Probiotics

Preparations contain: microorganisms that have a good effect on the intestinal microflora, bacteriocins that promote rapid adaptation of beneficial bacteria, metabolites - waste products of beneficial microorganisms (trace elements, vitamins, amino acids).

Advantages and disadvantages of using

Introduction to the diet of growth stimulants has pros and cons. The advantages of feed additives include:

accelerated weight gain;
fat reduction;
improving the palatability of meat;
reducing maintenance costs by increasing the nutritional value of feed;
decrease in morbidity due to increased immunity;
decrease in mortality of young animals.

In order for the use of stimulants to bring the claimed effect, constant monitoring of the dosage is required. The norms and period of application of feed additives depend on the age and weight of the pigs. Failure to comply with them can harm the he alth of animals. Features of the use of growth stimulants complicate care, take more time.

Selection rules

There are a number of characteristics that are evaluated when choosing growth promoters. First of all, additives should be economically beneficial and non-toxic. Secondly, when included in the diet, they should not:

cause side effects;
affect negatively the intestinal microflora;
promote the development of pathogenic microflora;
accumulate in the muscles and tissues of the intestine;
pollute the environment;
reduce the therapeutic effect of drugs.

Detailed information about the product (all components, date of manufacture, expiration date, storage requirements) must be on the package. The product must meet the requirements of GOST, have a certificate of conformity.

Features of the use of growth stimulants

Premixes are mixed into feed for piglets if pathologies of development, growth, rickets, dermatitis, abnormalities in the functioning of muscles or the nervous system are detected. Blend provides animals with important vitamins:

C improves the functioning of the reproductive system.
B6, B12 relieve convulsions, dermatitis, beriberi, normalize metabolism.
A, E, D3 affect the development of bone, muscle tissue, growth, eliminate the symptoms of rickets.

When using growth promoters, fattening pigs quickly gain weight. Vitamins are needed in food. They strengthen the skeleton, the load on which increases along with the growth of muscle mass.

When introducing several types of supplements into the diet, their compatibility is taken into account. Incorrectly selected combinations of stimulants (feed antibiotics, premixes, vitamins) can provoke allergies and diarrhea. The dosage of all drugs is calculated depending on age, weight, breed.