Controlling post-weaning diarrhoea in piglets with encapsulated zinc oxide

Post-weaning diarrhoea and poor gut health after weaning both compromise the potential growth of pigs, and can cause an increase in morbidity and mortality rates.

Pharmacological use of zinc oxide (ZnO) is one non-antimicrobial means of controlling post-weaning diarrhoea, however, it results in high levels of zinc being excreted into the environment through the effluent system and as such, there is a need for an effective, environmentally safe alternative.

Value for producers:

• Inclusion of a microencapsulated ZnO product into the weaner pigs' diet for 2 weeks immediately after weaning can reduce post-weaning diarrhoea.
• Reduced environmental impact compared with normal ZnO.

Recommendations:

• The inclusion of 100ppm of microencapsulated ZnO for two weeks immediately after weaning suppresses post-weaning diarrhoea
• This supplement also keeps the plasma and faecal zinc levels to the levels found in pigs fed control diets without additional ZnO supplementation, thus reducing zinc excretion and the impact on the environment.