Fiber in Animal Nutrition

Fiber in Swine Nutrition 30 • Good body condition (control over/ underweight) • Satiation (calm sows, no hunger stress/ frustration) • Faeces consistency (less constipation, less MMA problems) • Increased water intake (better milk production, reduced heat stress) Providing a fiber source without mycotoxin risk allows for a replacement or reduction of main contaminants. Especially the influence on the endocrine system (i.e. ZEN mimics estrogen) can result in fertility disorders. Lignocellulose can ease the mycotoxin si- tuation in critical years. During a 15 month trial period at the German National Pig Breeding Institute in Forchheim (Buettner, 2007) the influ- ence of feeding Arbocel lignocellulose at 2.5% in gestations and 2.0% in lactation (control with 12 and 12.5% wheat bran, respectively) on reproductive parameters was investigated (table 8) Long term usage of Arbocel improved re- productive parameters and resulted in one piglet more per sow and year. In a more recent trial at the National Uni- versity Mexico lignocellulose (50 g as top dressing) was fed to gestating sows from day 104 of gestation until weaning at 21 days. The trial group showed higher feed intake volumes, with 10% higher milk production and 2% less weight loss. Additionally feeding Arbocel lignocellulose resulted in reduced birth length, a higher number of live born piglets and significantly improved piglet weight and number at weaning (table 9). 2.5.2 Piglets Impaired piglet health, feed intake and growth are the consequences of weaning resulting from the psychological and phy- sical stress associated to it. An approach to encounter these problems involves increasing the crude fiber content. Thereby focusing on an increase in insoluble fiber. The good WBC and bulking characteristics of insoluble fiber sources fill the gut, positively influence peristalsis and thereby intestinal transit time. These fiber sources are not susceptible to fermentation but positively influence the gut microflora by prohibiting the adhesion of pathogens and providing the surface and Control Arbocel Number of sows 55 55 Sows returning to heat (%) 14.5 3.6 Born piglets/litter 12.2 12.5 Live born piglets/litter 11.7 12.3 Weaned piglets/litter 9.7 9.9 Ø birth weight piglets (3. day) in kg 1.63 1.62 Number of litters/sow and year 2.42 2.46 Weaned piglets/sow and year 23.49 24.39 Sows not gestating 4 0 Table 8: Influence of Arbocel on reproductive parameters (Buettner, 2007) © ERLING Verlag