EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENT OF HERBS ON THE PERFORMANCE AND HEALTH CONDITION OF SUCKLING PIGLETS

S. Ivanova-Peneva, D. Kanev

Abstract: Research on herbs and combination of herbs and their concentrations instead of antibiotics would have practical application in pig breeding for successful health management in organic farms. The aim of this study was to investigate prophylactic and therapeutic effect of herbs on performance and health of suckling piglets. One scientific experiment was carried out in Experimental station of Agricultural institute – Shumen with total 154 pigs from 16 litters, originated from Danube white breed, spread as follows: first treatment – Control group (CG) - 8 sows and 77 piglets and second treatment - trial group with supplement of Origanum heracleoticum (OG) – 8 sows and 77 piglets. Pigs from CG have been raised according to conventional methods and treated in cases of diarhoea with antibiotics. Sows of OG received from day 7 before birth till the end of the trial at 35 day after birth diet supplemented with 5 g to kg feed of Origanum heracleoticum as well as their offspring. When cases of diarhoea occurred, treatment was made by concentrate of Origanum heracleoticum and Potentilla Erecta Raus, herb with anti-inflammatory and anti-diarhoea action, due to high content of tannins. Live weight at birth, 21 day, 35 day (at weaning), average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), health condition of sows and piglets (score of faeces) and number of Escherihia coli colonies at weaning were registered. Results showed statistically significant differences between groups in ADG in the period 21-35 day (P<0.001) and ADG 1-35 day (P<0.05) into account of CG were established. Analysis of variance indicated in both CG and OG main effect was effect of pen, which could be due to the differences in milk production of the sow. The results of score of faeces showed more diarhoea conditions were registered in OG, but differences were very small and not significant. Results from microbiological analysis showed no differences in number of colonies Escherihiacoli between CG and OG were found. To have better proves of the use of herbs as replacement of antibiotics for prevention and treatment of diarhoea in suckling piglets more studies should be carried out.

Keywords: ADG; Escherihia coli; herbs; suckling piglets

Date published: 2017-05-16