Efficacy of Pharmacologic Levels of Zinc Supplementation around Weaning for Prevention of Piglet Diarrhoea

Thirty-two (32) crossbred (Hampshire × Assam Local) piglets of 52-days old were divided randomly into four equal groups and maintained under zinc supplemented feed for a period of 14 days (from 52 to 65 days of age). The piglets were weaned at 56 days. The Group-I (Control) was offered 100 ppm of ZnSO₄ as per NRC recommendation. The group II, III and IV of the piglets were fed pharmacological doses of zinc at graded levels viz. 1000, 2000 and 3000 ppm, respectively. Body weight measurement was done at days 1, 7 and 14 of feeding and ADG and FCE were calculated. Daily monitoring for piglet diarrhoea was done. Blood collection was done at days 1, 7 and 14 of feeding for estimation of different blood parameters. It was observed that, in group III and IV, there was no evidence of piglet diarrhoea whereas in Group II only two piglets and in group I six piglets had diarrhoea during the experimental period. The analyzed serum profile of zinc, glucose, amylase, total protein, globulin and albumin, cholesterol and cortisol levels supports the role of zinc in prevention of piglet diarrhoea. This study indicated that 2000 ppm of zinc supplementation to the piglets around weaning have higher efficacy in preventing piglet diarrhoea