Effect of functional oils and algae on the performance of piglets in the initial phase

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of functional oils and alga Spirulina on production and economic performance of piglets in the initial phase. 20 animals were used, male and female, crossbred breeds Landrace x Large white, divided into two treatments, with one treatment (T1) the control and treatment two (T2) with supplementation of functional oils and Spirulina algae. The experimental design was randomized blocks with five replicates per treatment, with two animals in each repetition. The parameters evaluated were weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion (CA), stool consistency (CF) and feed cost per kg of produced pork (CP). The performance data were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) by F test at a significance level of 5% probability (ASSISTAT 7.5, 2008). There was no effect (P> 0.05). treatments for any of the evaluated production parameters. Thus, it is concluded that the addition of functional oils and algae in the diet of piglets at the initial stage did not influence positively the economic and productive performance of animals.

Keywords

• additive, functional oils, spirulina, performance, piglets