Overview of Nutritional Needs in Pig
Sponsored LinksThe National Research Council (1998) provides estimates of nutrient requirements for all phases of pig production. It is important to remember that these estimates do not contain safety factors to allow for variation in pig requirements, variation in level of availability of nutrients or loss of vitamin potency during processing and storage, so it is normal to feed higher levels of some nutrients, especially vitamins and trace minerals.
The Pig requires energy, amino acids, minerals and vitamins form its diet plus water, which is usually provided separately. Several other items may also be included in the diet for purposes.
Energy is perhaps the most basic of the nutritional needs, as it is needed to drive all productive functions of the body. Fats, carbohydrates and proteins all contribute energy to the body, but they vary in energy density and in efficiency with which that energy is used.
Amino acids supply from the diet is determined largely by the amino acid composition of the diet and the digestibility of the protein in which it is bound. Protein digestibility varies enough among feedstuffs that it is important to formulate diets on the basis of digestible rather than total amino acids. Amino acid digestibility must be measured to the end of the small intestine because the microbes in the hindgut degrade and/or synthesize amino acids, largely without making them available for use by the host animal’s tissues.
Minerals Of the macro-minerals, calcium, phosphorus, sodium and chloride are routinely added to pig diets. Most recent interest has been in phosphorus because of the entry into the market of phytase enzymes.
Six micro-minerals (iron, zinc, manganese, copper, iodine and selenium) are added to all pig diets, and another (chromium) is often added to sow diets. Of special current interest is whether organic forms of these minerals are superior to the inorganic forms. Chromium must be provided in and organic form, and there is growing evidence of the value of selenium in the form of selenomethionine.
Vitamins All four fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) are usually added as specific supplements to all pig diets. In addition, four B-vitamins (riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid and B12) are usually added to all swine diets. Sow diets are usually supplemented with rather high levels of three additional vitamins (choline, biotin and folic acid) Nursery pig diets often contain supplements of vitamin B6, choline, biotin and a stabilized form of vitamin C, and some nutritionists add choline to finishing pig diets.
Water is usually provided separately, but an adequate supply of easily available and safe water is critical for pig health and performance. It is especially important to ensure that nipple waterers deliver an adequate water flow rate.
April 05 2008 11:06 am | Swine