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Fermented liquid feed can reduce E. coli bloom at farrowing and prevent constipation problems during lactation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

V. Demečková*
Affiliation:
University of Plymouth, Faculty of Land, Food and Leisure, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 6NQ, UK.
C.A. Tsourgiannis
Affiliation:
University of Plymouth, Faculty of Land, Food and Leisure, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 6NQ, UK.
P.H. Brooks
Affiliation:
University of Plymouth, Faculty of Land, Food and Leisure, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 6NQ, UK.
A. Campbell
Affiliation:
University of Plymouth, Faculty of Land, Food and Leisure, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 6NQ, UK.
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Extract

Gastrointestinal infections associated with E. coli represent a serious problem for neonatal pigs. These bacteria are present in the sow’s intestine in large numbers but increase dramatically just prior to farrowing due to stress occasioned by movement and parturition (Maclean and Thomas, 1974). Consequently, just 24 hours after farrowing, E.coli are found in high numbers (over 108/g) in the faeces of piglets. However, at this stage of its life the piglet is not equipped to deal with such a large microbial load and unless immunological assistance is provided, they have very little chance of survival. In pigs, all immunological assistance at birth is concentrated in the mother’s colostrum. Thus elimination, or at least minimizing, all the factors which negatively affect the sow’s ability to produce sufficient amount of milk becomes essential challenge of each efficient swine production. The main aim of this study was to investigate the potential of fermented liquid feed (FLF) to control the pathogen load within the piglet’s environment by reducing the rapid E. coli multiplication in sows associated with farrowing. The possible laxative effect of FLF, in order to prevent constipation and the problems it causes during farrowing, was also examined.

Type
Poster Presentations
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2003

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References

Maclean, C.W. and Thomas, N.D. 1974. Faecal and vaginal bacteriology of sows during the reproductive cycle. The British Veterinary Journal 130: 230237.Google Scholar
Meat & Livestock Commission (MLC). 1999. The Stotfold Feeding Strategy, Milton Keynes, UK.Google Scholar