Feeding silage to organic weaning piglets: diarrhoea, gastric health and growth (OK-Net EcoFeed practice abstract)

Summary in the original language of the document

Chicory forage (see figure 1) has a high content of uronic acids, which forms pectin. Plant-origin pectin can be used as a soluble fibre feed ingredient and can increase colon microbiota diversity and Lactobacillus amylovorus population. Thus, silage with chicory can have beneficial effects on gut health. Moreover, silage increases sa-tiety and the possibilities for the pigs to perform foraging and rooting behaviour. Thus, it can reduce the level of stress and occurrence of diarrhoea and thereby promote pig health and growth.
• Pigs with chicory silage (see figure 2) gained most weight during the 14-day test period (on average 1.15 kg) compared with pigs that received grass/clover silage (on average 0 kg) or no silage (on average 0.37 kg).
• Even though there were some health problems caused by a Lawsonia infection and weaning diarrhoea, the pigs fed chicory silage recovered fast (compared with pigs that received grass/clover silage or no silage).
• The results from the test indicate that silage with a high inclusion of chicory can have a boosting effect on the pigs’ gastric health and is positive for piglet growth around weaning.
• Silage can help to improve pig health through behavioural enrichment and lower stress around weaning.
• Use an early harvested ley crop chicory silage that is tender, with a low proportion of fibres. The silage should have good hygienic quality and be served fresh (i.e. new silage rations every day). Feed the silage at sufficient feeding space, or at several places in the pen, to allow all pigs to feed at the same time.
• Establishing chicory in the crop rotation, after the pigs have been grazing the fields, can enhance nitrogen uptake from the soil.
• For high palatability, the chicory could be combined with e.g. white clover when seeded.
• More obvious positive effects of chicory silage may be achieved by feeding the silage for a longer period.