GUT BALANCE BOOSTERTM AS A PROSPECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO ANTIBIOTICS IN SWINE DIET.

Abstract

This study accessed the effects of dietary inclusion of Gut Balance BoosterTM (GBB) on performance of weanling pigs. Twenty four six week old weaned pigs of mixed sexes were randomly assigned into two groups of 12 piglets each. They were fed diet A (normal starter diet without GBB) and diet B (starter diet with GBB at 200g/kg). Feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), haematology, serum lipid profile, faecal egg count, shedding of selected bacteria and cost-benefit of the additive were determined. Results showed that there was no significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in daily feed intake, FCR and weight gain. However, the values favoured the supplemented group (1.16±0.10 vs.1.06±0.13kg; 2.61±0.34 vs. 3.04±0.23; 485.29±59.12 vs. 355.00±40.30g). Haemoglobin, PCV, RBC and WBC and Lymphocyte counts were higher in group B. Lipid profile showed no significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in the two groups. The GBB reduced faecal strongyle eggs output, salmonella species and increased Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. Net gain due to GBB supplementation within the experimental period was ₦221,508 ($613.60). It was concluded that in pigs, dietary inclusion of GBB at starter phase improves gut health, growth performance and is cost beneficial.