Effect of the organic minerals zinc, manganese, and copper on growth performance and the locomotor system of finishing pigs

• Published in: Semina. Ciências agrárias : revista cultural e científica da Universidade Estadual de Londrina Vol. 40; no. 6Supl2; p. 3209
• Main Authors: Silva, Gefferson Almeida, Fernandez, Fenanda Griebeller, Backes, Ana Paula, Donin, Daiane Güllich, Fernandes, Sergio Rodrigo, Fireman, Alba Kyonara, Kramer, Ton, Alberton, Geraldo Camilo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.11.2019
• ISSN: 1676-546X; 1679-0359
• DOI: 10.5433/1679-0359.2019v40n6Supl2p3209

Supplementation with complexed minerals influences the growth performance and the integrity of the locomotor system of animals. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a complex supplementation of organic minerals (metal-amino acids) consisting of Zn (50 ppm), Mn (20 ppm), and Cu (10 ppm) (Availa® Sow FF Zinpro Corp.) on the growth performance and integrity of the locomotor system in pigs. One hundred and eighty 61-day-old animals, comprised of females (n=90) and castrated males (n=90), were used in a randomised block factorial design with ten replicates per treatment and sex. The experimental design consisted of two treatments: control (T1) animals without supplementation and treatment (T2) animals that were supplemented with organic minerals (0.75 g kg-1). At 112 days of housing (D112), the pigs were subjected to a hoof evaluation, at D115 they were weighed, and at D117, they were slaughtered (178 days of age). After boning, a blind analysis was performed on the medial and lateral condyles of the distal humerus. The supplemented animals (T2) had higher scores for the performance parameters of final weight (P=0.03), weight gain (WG) (P=0.02), and average daily weight gain (DWG) (P=0.021). For WG, T2 showed 3.10 kg more gain than the control; the increase in females was on average 4.07 kg and in males 2.45 kg. The prevalence of hoof lesions was 100% in both groups. The supplementation reduced the incidence of damage to the dew claws (P=0.02) and heel-sole cracks (P=0.02). The incidence of osteochondrosis was 19.13%, with no influence of supplementation. Supplementing pigs with the organic minerals Zn, Mn, and Cu during the finishing phase improved the WG, DWG, final weight, and hoof integrity.