* I.J.A.S. Imp. 02/02
27-12-2005
11:47
Pagina 103
The effects of clinoptilolite on piglet and heavy pig production
Luca Sardi, Giovanna Martelli, Paolo Parisini, Enrico Cessi, Archimede Mordenti Dipartimento di Morfofisiologia veterinaria e Produzioni animali, Università di Bologna, Italy.
Corresponding author: Dr. Luca Sardi. DIMORFIPA. Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Bologna. Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy. - Tel. +39-051-792872 - Fax: +39-051-792869 - Email:
[email protected]
Paper received September 27, 2001; accepted December 10, 2001.
ABSTRACT To evaluate the effects of clinoptilolite on piglet and heavy pig production two separated trials have been performed. In the first trial 40 pigs of the initial body weight of 55 kg were used. Animals were homogeneously allocated to two groups: a control group traditionally fed and a clinoptilolite group in which feed contained the additive at 2%. Pigs were slaughtered at about 160 kg body weight. Blood samples were taken to determine blood urea nitrogen (BUN). In the second trial a total of 116 piglets from 12 litters was used. Six litters were fed from the 7th day of life a diet containing clinoptilolite at 2%. According to the dietary treatment of the suckling period, 84 weaned piglets were homogeneously allocated to two groups fed up to 33 kg body weight a diet containing or not clinoptilolite at 2%. In both trials daily weight gain, feed intake and pigs’ health were regularly recorded. The dietary inclusion of clinoptilolite at 2% did not resulted in any modification either of growing performances or of uraemia. Piglets on clinoptilolite diet showed a significant (P
