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- The diets of healthy pigs consist of a series of rations formulated for each phase and requirement of the pig’s life.
- The diets of healthy pigs consist of a series of rations formulated for each phase and requirement of the pig’s life.
- The gastrointestinal track of a pig is different from that of ruminants such as cattle, goats and sheep, says Mostert. The ruminant stomach has four compartments and is adapted to utilise nutrients that are not readily available – these nutrients serve as food for the gut microbes, which in turn manufacture nutrients the animal can utilise.
- Correct nutrition makes for a healthy microbiome. The benefit in this regard is twofold: nutrients can be readily absorbed, and the pig is healthier.
- An unhealthy gut increases the chances of secondary problems. This may lead to carcasses being rejected after slaughter, which means a direct financial loss for the producer.
Pigs can and will eat anything, but that does not mean what they eat is necessarily good for them. On the contrary. The diets of healthy pigs consist of a series of rations formulated for each phase and requirement of the pig’s life. This necessitates the use of high-quality raw materials, says JD Mostert, a nutritionist at CS Vet.
“Such a ration never contains any kitchen waste, waste products or even animal by-products (such as bloodmeal/bone meal or chicken manure). Not only is it detrimental to the pig’s health but it is also illegal to add such an additive to the feed. Rations must meet every nutritional requirement the pig might have, and contain all vitamins and minerals required.”
Swine rations are specifically formulated for each stage of the pig’s life – from the growth phases through each production phase. “Several small adjustments are made to solve problems or requirements specific to farms or production units. For these formulated feeds, nutritionists utilise available, cost-effective raw materials.”
Read more about Strategies for managing seasonal infertility in pigs here.
Monogastrics vs ruminants
The gastrointestinal track of a pig is different from that of ruminants such as cattle, goats and sheep, says Mostert. The ruminant stomach has four compartments and is adapted to utilise nutrients that are not readily available – these nutrients serve as food for the gut microbes, which in turn manufacture nutrients the animal can utilise.
“The pig and human gut are very similar,” says Mostert. “A pig only has one stomach that is directly connected to the oesophagus and exits in the small intestine. The ration the pig consumes must therefore contain immediately available nutrients for direct absorption and utilisation by the pig’s body.”
The biggest difference between the gut of a human and pig is the cecum (in humans this is known as the appendix). “The human cecum is fairly small and underdeveloped. A pig’s cecum, in contrast, is much larger and is functionally very efficient. If given the correct nutrition, the microbial population it contains can grow and develop, thereby contributing to the digestion of otherwise indigestible feedstuffs.
“Although the lifespan and productive life of a pig is rather short, producers can never compromise on pig health. After all, a healthy pig can efficiently and cost-effectively yield high-quality meat, which is why a pig’s intestinal health is just as important for overall health as it is in humans.”
A healthy microbiome
According to Mostert, most microbes are found in the animal’s cecum. “Seeing as a pig’s cecum is larger than a human’s, its ‘housing capacity’ is also much larger and the role of these microbes is therefore of greater value.” Correct nutrition makes for a healthy microbiome. The benefit in this regard is twofold: nutrients can be readily absorbed, and the pig is healthier. A microbiome that is out of balance not only has a negative impact on gut health, but on the pig’s general health too.
The microbiome can be impacted in several ways. In addition to the absence of ingredients such as sufficient fibre, medication can also have an influence. “The microbiome comprises organisms that live within the gastrointestinal tract. If the animal, for example, receives medication such as antibiotics, it usually works against a broad range of organisms so as to improve the specific state of disease.”
Unfortunately, this means that beneficial organisms or microbes are also affected, often leading to microbial death, which can eventually lead to an imbalance of harmful organisms. The microbiome can be impacted if feed contains unknown additives which can, for example, change the animal’s pH levels or modify the bypass rate of nutrients.
An excess of medication means the microbiome never gets the opportunity to recover after treatment. “The medication kills all organisms, except those that are resistant to it. These organisms are rarely the good kind and therefore don’t contribute to digestion, or intestinal or overall health. This may lead to even more organisms becoming resistant.”
Healthy digestion
A healthy gut is essential for the efficient absorption of nutrients from pig feed and its utilisation for good growth. If the process is hindered in any way and nutrients cannot be absorbed or used, the animal will either not grow, or will take much longer to grow to a marketable weight. This undermines the profitability of pig production.
In addition, an unhealthy gut increases the chances of secondary problems. This may lead to carcasses being rejected after slaughter, which means a direct financial loss for the producer.
“A healthy diet ensures that pigs grow optimally and supports efficient production through each phase. By providing the correct ration with the correct nutritional value, you not only limit nutrient wastage but also increase the cost-effectiveness of the system,” Mostert concludes. – Susan Marais, Plaas Media
Send an email to JD Mostert at nutrition@csvet.co.za for more information.
