Piglet Management and Feeding Strategies to Protect Post-Weaning Health and Improve Performance, Part 5

Weaning is a critical period in a pig's life because it induces significant stress due to the transition from a liquid-based diet to a solid feed. This abrupt dietary change leads to notable alterations in their gastrointestinal physiology, microbiology, and immunology (Pluske et al., 1997), so piglets experience a substantial decrease in food consumption immediately after weaning as a consequence. Therefore, the nutritional composition of their initial diets plays a crucial role in supporting their growth, health, and development (Pluske et al., 1997; Pluske et al., 2007). Formulating a diet for these piglets requires careful consideration of their nutritional requirements during this stage, since they need all the necessary nutrients to support their growth, promote their gut health, and enhance their immune system (Blavi et al., 2021).

During the growth phase, piglets have a high protein requirement to support muscle development and tissue repair (Rudar et al., 2018). As a result, premium protein sources like soybean meal, fish meal, and plasma proteins are commonly included in their diets in combination to achieve an adequate amino acid profile (Menegat et al., 2019). Notably, the use of spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) has been shown to improve post-weaning performance by promoting greater feed intake and enhanced feed efficiency (Lange et al., 2010).

Another important consideration when formulating piglet diets after weaning is dietary energy. Energy is crucial not only because it allows for maintenance and growth, but also because it represents approximately 50% of the total feed cost. Thus, it is essential to avoid under or oversupplying energy in the diet (Menegat et al., 2019). Cereal grains such as corn and wheat are widely used as energy sources in piglet diets due to their high starch content.

However, when utilizing plant-derived ingredients, it is important to be cautious about the anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) present in them. ANFs have the potential to hinder nutrient absorption in animals, negatively affecting feed intake and nutrient utilization in pigs (Woyengo et al., 2017). For example, phytate, a salt derived from phytic acid and the primary reservoir of phosphorus (P) in plant-based animal feed, is not efficiently digested by pigs, leading to incomplete P digestibility (Rosenfelder-Kuon et al., 2020). To overcome this, feed enzymes such as phytase and xylanase are widely used in pig nutrition to improve nutrient digestion and support growth. These enzymes have shown promising effects beyond their traditional roles, indicating their importance in promoting overall gut well-being and microbial balance in pigs (Moita & Kim, 2022). 

Another technique that has been employed is diet acidification, wherein the addition of inulin alone or in combination with benzoic acid has demonstrated positive outcomes in reducing the duration of diarrhea (Halas et al., 2009). Various studies have indicated that the addition of diet acidifiers can reduce instances of digestive scouring and decrease the abundance of coliform populations in the gastrointestinal tract of young pigs (White et al., 1969; Cole et al., 1968; Thomlinson and Lawrence, 1981).

Apart from protein and energy, other ingredients should be considered when formulating diets for piglets after weaning, such as fiber. Although high-fiber diets generally offer reduced nutritional value for young pigs in the nursery stage due to their limited ability to digest such nutrient, the various components of dietary fiber have shown positive impacts on gut health and development, particularly in helping to alleviate post-weaning gut disorders (Menegat et al., 2019). 

Additionally, diets for piglets must provide an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals, which play a crucial role in various physiological processes and support overall health and immunity (Sampath et al., 2023). Vitamin and mineral premixes are commonly added to ensure the proper balance of essential nutrients; particularly during the weaning period, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and vitamins A, D, and E are of significant importance (Gaudré & Quiniou, 2009).

In conclusion, ingredient selection and formulation considerations for diets for piglets after weaning are crucial for their growth, health, and development. These diets should meet the nutritional requirements of the animals, focusing on protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals. In that sense, optimal feed intake and nutrient utilization can be achieved by selecting high-quality ingredients with good digestibility and appropriate physical form. Additionally, ingredient quality and digestibility are key considerations when formulating piglet diets, as they ensure the availability and bioavailability of nutrients.