Effect of the addition of cactus (O. ficus-indica) to the lactating sows' diet on piglet development at lactation and post-weaning
Annotatsiya
OBJECTIVE: ) to the lactating sows' diet on piglet development at lactation and post-weaning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four litters of hybrids sows were evaluated in this study. The sows were divided into two groups: Control (CG), sows fed conventionally and experimental (EG), sows fed with commercial fed plus cactus. Post-weaning, the piglets of both groups were monitored up to the 20 kg liveweight (LW). It was evaluated, lactation (in sows): feed intake (FI), milk production (MP), and quality (MQ) and LW of the piglet. Post-weaning (in piglets): FI, LW, and length of intestinal villi (LIV) at 0, 24 h, and 42 days post-weaning. RESULTS: < 0.05) in EG: 23.7% higher. CONCLUSION: Cactus intake in lactating sows does not affect the piglet development. However, post-weaning piglets present higher LIV in jejunum and transverse portion, aspect that improves LW.