Alternative solutions to Zinc Oxide

Why do we use Zinc Oxide in Nursery/Weaner Diets

The main reason for the use of ZnO in these diets is to stimulate the gut health of post-weaned piglets to prevent them from having digestive disorders. Zinc oxide is known to reduce diarrhoea in post-weaned piglets, along with oedema in some cases, and it also decreases the mortality rate. Both of these are caused by an E. Coli infection in the pigs. Pigs with diarrhoea or other health-related issues will have impaired growth, which will harm production. It has been shown that including zinc at higher levels in the feed can lead to higher feed intakes and increased growth rates. Pigs now were not only growing faster but also had a more developed gut, which set them up for better future growth.

In 2017, the use of Zinc Oxide in pig diets was banned by the EU. This was due to higher levels of Zinc in the pig manure, which started to become toxic to the environment. 

The higher levels of Zinc have also started to cause bacterial resistance to zinc and the selection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This ban in the EU will be implemented from June 2022. 

Advantages & Disadvantages of Zinc Oxide

Advantages: 

• Higher feed intakes post-weaning
• Higher feed conversion ratio
• Higher growth rate
• Better gut development
• Reduction of post-weaning diarrhoea
• Reduction in health-related problems

Disadvantages: 

• Microbial resistance
• Toxic effect on the environment
• Reduction in the availability of other minerals – copper, iron, selenium
• Could get Zinc Toxicity with prolonged use, causing lameness and reduced growth.
• Reduced feed intakes after switching to a low ZnO diet.

What can we use as Alternative Solutions to ZnO?

When we are looking for alternative solutions to ZnO in post-weaned piglet diets, it must be understood that there is no silver bullet, and a holistic approach needs to be followed. With a holistic approach, we would have to take into account important factors: nutrition, health and management. Making changes to the feed composition by altering the different nutrients and reducing crude protein can be beneficial to the piglets without the use of ZnO. So is the inclusion of additives such as organic acids, essential oils and yeasts into the feed in the right concentrations based on the diet. Nutritionally, we need to use very palatable raw materials that contain highly digestible nutrients and that do not contain any anti-nutritional factors to encourage the development of a healthy gut. We want to maintain a lower pH to strengthen gut wall integrity. This will help the piglets to adapt well to the changes they are experiencing, such as the new environment, being mixed in groups away from their mother and pen mates and the major change from a liquid diet (milk) to a solid feed diet. All of these factors contribute to stress in the piglets, making them more susceptible to bacterial development. 

Colostrum intake of the piglets is also very important as this is their first major source of nutrients and antibodies. Sows need to produce good-quality colostrum. Management of the sow before farrowing and making sure that she gets enough nutrients is equally as important. The sow must be in good body condition when she farrows and starts producing milk. Milk production throughout lactation is important, as a low intake of milk will lead to bacterial growth in the gut. The piglets will become stressed, which negatively affects gut development, and overall growth and development will be reduced. This will make the transition more difficult during and after weaning. 

The changeover from one feed type to another should be done when the piglets have had a chance to adapt to their new environment, and it should be phased in gradually. Pigs need time to adapt to nutritional changes to limit disruption of the gut and cause digestive problems. Extra feeders and drinkers should be used during the first 2 weeks after weaning, and they should be well distributed around the pen so that they are easily accessible to the pigs. 

Careful and thorough preparation of the weaner house is important. The house should be ready at least 1 day before the piglets arrive. This will lower stress and prevent a negative impact on growth and performance. The house must be cleaned and disinfected correctly. 

A cleaning and disinfection protocol must be in place, which must be followed. After cleaning, the house must rest for a few days to allow it to dry properly. Check that feeders are clean and the feed allocation settings are correct. Flush and disinfect the waterlines and check that the flow rates of all the water nipples are correct. When the piglets arrive, the feeders should be full, and water should be easily available. Water and water quality is important as it can be a source of bacteria entering the digestive tract. The treatment of the water can be done in several ways, including acidification and/or other additives to keep the water clean and at a pH suitable for the pigs at that age. The environmental controller settings must be checked and set correctly to provide the optimal environment. Having an ideal environment reduces stress and improves health and growth. 

Effective biosecurity must be in place on the farm. Prevention is always better than cure. Preventing bacteria from entering the farm gives the pigs an advantage. Biosecurity practices are extremely important. Staff must be regularly trained on the importance of biosecurity and the procedures that need to be followed, including correct routes through the farm, showering in/out and farm-specific clothing.

Conclusion and The Way Forward

Without the therapeutic use of Zinc and Zinc Oxide in nursery diets to help prevent the occurrence of diarrhoea and digestive disorders, it will be a challenging period for many commercial farmers. The aim is to not lose out on growth, production and profitability, but there is no alternative product that can be used as a replacement for ZnO. Several strategies can be used to limit the negative effects, including acidifying the water and having good management practices in place. A holistic approach will need to be adopted where the Nutritionist, Veterinarian and Geneticist play equally important roles to support the farmer and their staff to ensure the piglets are in homeostasis with their environment. Pigs will need to have their own Natural Power to withstand the challenge that lies ahead without Zinc.

Get in touch with your local De Heus Specialist to learn more about the alternative solutions to Zinc Oxide  -  https://www.deheus.co.za/meet-our-team