Optimising early gut health vital to zinc-free lifetime performance

A zinc removal strategy that focuses on maximising early gut health and development is the most crucial step if producers want to benefit from full lifetime performance, says piglet starter feed specialists Primary Diets.

UK starter diets currently contain high levels of zinc to control post-weaning diarrhoea, most commonly caused by infection with specific bacterial, viral or parasitic pathogens which thrive in the intestine at weaning.  Weaning stresses can disrupt the gut bacteria, resulting in diarrhoea, happening at a stage where piglets also have a poorer ability to digest and absorb nutrients due to a naïve microbiome population.

“However, the mechanisms by which zinc does this aren’t fully understood. For example, we know zinc oxide has a positive effect on the gut structure and bacterial diversity, making it a more effective barrier against pathogens which has a positive effect on nutrient digestion and absorption, but this isn’t the full picture, and it is what makes replacing zinc oxide incredibly difficult.”

“All of our work over 6 years has shown us that supporting the piglet to establish a healthy gut early in life allows the animal to maximise its growth potential later in life, bringing the best economic returns through efficient feed conversion and use of energy. Producers should, therefore, focus their zinc removal strategy on supporting the natural gut defence mechanisms of piglets when feeding in the absence of zinc oxide,” Ms Metcalfe advised.

“These are key factors that influence the establishment of the piglet gut microbiome at weaning which effects piglet gut microbial structure and diversity throughout life”, concludes Ms Metcalfe.  “Maintaining a focus on good management, as well as nutrition, offer producers a robust early gut development programme to ensure the sustained lifetime performance of their piglets.”