Abstract #M203

# M203
Effects of gel based phytogenic feed supplement on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics, and intestinal morphology in weanling pigs.
P. Y. Zhao*1, H. M. Yun1, H. L. Li1, J. D. Hancock2, I. H. Kim1, 1Department of Animal Resource & Science, Dankook University, Cheonan, Chungnam, South Korea, 2Department of Animal Science & Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas.

Gel based phytogenic feed supplement (GBP) is designed to facilitate the transition from a liquid diet (sow milk) to dry ration. It contains both feed component and water component thereby influencing feed consumption and intestinal health. In the current study, 120 weanling pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with an average body weight of 6.71 kg were used in a 42-d feeding trial divided into 3 phases; d 1 to d 7 (Phase 1), d 8 to 21 (Phase 2) and d 22 to d 42 (Phase 3) to evaluate effects of GBP containing essential oil from caraway seed on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood chemistry and intestinal morphology. Pigs were randomly distributed on the basis of body weight and sex with 5 pigs per pen and 8 pens per treatment. Dietary treatments were: CON (basal diet), CON + 50 g GBP per pig a day, (F50) and CON + 100 g GBP per pig a day, (F100). The GBP was mixed with powdered feed just before feeding and fed during phase 1 post weaning and thereafter all pigs were fed only basal diet without GBP. All experimental data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design using the GLM procedures (SAS) with pen as the experimental unit and blocks based on initial BW. The digestibility of nutrients and measurement of villi of small intestine was done on d 10. Orthogonal contrasts were used to test the effect of treatments. During phase 3, feeding GBP linearly increased (P < 0.05) ADG (544 g, 553 g, 562 g) and G:F (0.644, 0.657, 0.674). Overall, linear increase were shown (P < 0.05) in ADG (462 g, 470 g, 477 g) and G:F (0.679, 0.694, 0.707). However, ADFI was neither improved nor reduced in piglets fed GBP. The digestibility of DM (78.2%, 81.8%, 82.5%) and GE (78.2%, 82.2%, 81.9%) increased linearly (P < 0.05). The villi length of jejunum (540, 695, 755µm) and ileum (556, 713, 774µm) was improved linearly (P < 0.05) with the increase in the level of GBP. In conclusion, phytogenic feed supplement did not influence feed intake but increased ADG, improved G:F through enhancement of dry matter and energy digestibility as well as improved jejunum and ileum villi length.

Key Words: gel-based phytogenic feed supplement, growth performance, phytogenic