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Pig Journal Volume: 57
Publication date: May 2006

Proceedings Section

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING - PROTEIN, GUT HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE
I. J. Wellock, J.G.M. Houdijk, P.D. Fortomaris, S.A. Edwards and I. Kyriazakis

Abstract
Withdrawal of in-feed antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs) will put the weaner pig at greater risk from enteric disorders, such as post-weaning colibacillosis (PWC) and accentuates the need for alternative, non-pharmaceutical, strategies for disease prevention. These strategies may include the manipulation of dietary protein supply, which has been associated with risk of PWC by supporting the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, and weaning age. The effects of dietary protein supply were investigated through manipulating protein quantity and/or source, including the use of rapeseed, on health and performance of pigs weaned at 4 and 6 weeks in the absence of AGPs. Results suggest that micronised whole rapeseed has the potential to be an alternative protein source in weaner pig diets, since inclusion levels greater than previously accepted did not adversely affect feed conversion efficiency. However, no beneficial antimicrobial effects were observed in respect of rapeseed inclusion. In the absence of AGPs, decreasing dietary protein supply may help to prevent and minimise the effects of PWC, especially in earlier weaned animals and particularly in environments that are challenging to the health of pigs.

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