The Effect of a <i>Bacillus</i>-Based Probiotic on Sow and Piglet Performance in Two Production Cycles

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of Bacillus-based probiotic diets on reproduction performance, fecal scores, microflora, and economic factors in lactating sows and suckling piglets across two productive cycles. A total of 96 sows, reared in a continuous farrowing system for two full c...

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Main Authors: Magdalena Mazur-Kuśnirek, Krzysztof Lipiński, Jens Noesgaard Jørgensen, Lea Hübertz Birch Hansen, Zofia Antoszkiewicz, Romuald Zabielski, Paweł Konieczka
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-10-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/20/3163
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Summary:The aim of this study was to assess the impact of Bacillus-based probiotic diets on reproduction performance, fecal scores, microflora, and economic factors in lactating sows and suckling piglets across two productive cycles. A total of 96 sows, reared in a continuous farrowing system for two full cycles, were divided into two groups: a control group and an experimental group. Sows were fed a basal diet without the probiotic or a diet supplemented with viable bacterial spores. At seven days of age, control group piglets were offered standard creep feed, whereas piglets in the experimental (probiotic) group received a diet containing the probiotic fed to their dams. Sows receiving probiotic-supplemented diets were characterized by significantly higher (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05) average daily feed intake in lactation, lower (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.01) body weight (BW) loss during lactation, and reduced loss of backfat thickness as well as higher body condition score after lactation. Dietary probiotic supplementation increased (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.01) birth weight, total creep feed consumption, litter weight gain, and piglet weaning weight. The probiotic also improved (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.01) overall fecal scores, decreased total <i>E. coli</i> count on day seven and <i>Clostridium perfringens</i> count (trend) in sucking piglets. The total feed cost per weaned piglet was lower in the experimental (probiotic) group. Supplementing the diet with a probiotic containing <i>Bacillus</i> strains improved the reproductive performance of sows and the performance and health of piglets.
ISSN:2076-2615