THE EFFECT OF PHYSICAL TREATMENT OF PREST ARTERS ON NUTRITIONAL PARAMETERS AND EFFICIENCY IN PIGLETS

The effect of physical treatment of prestarters on production and nutr itional characteristics was studied in one on-farm comparative feeding trial with 318 piglets and in one metabolism trial with 12 piglets. A prestarter of uniform standardized formulation was fed: untreated ing redients were used in control group (N), grains and protein feeds were extruded in group E and a loose mixture was used, and the prestarter in group G was treated in the same way as in group E, but it was in gr anular form. The best results in the comparative trial lasting 56 days were obtained in group G while mortality rates were similar and the n umber of diarrheic days was identical. Average daily weight gain after weaning was higher by 46% in comparison with the control, total weigh t gain was higher by 29% (P < 0.01). The results of metabolism trial s how significantly positive effects of physical treatment (extrusion, g ranulation) on protein utilization and deposition, especially at 36-40 days of age, when protein deposition in piglets of group G was higher by 45% in comparison with the control (N) (P < 0.01). Significant dif ferences (P < 0.05) were also indicated by comparison of groups N and E (by 27%).