Using complex diets post-weaning improves piglet performance and financial outcomes

Abstract

This study evaluates the effects of complex versus simple diets on post-weaning performance, feeding behavior, and economic outcomes in piglets during the nursery phase. A total of 192 piglets (21 days old, 5.45 ± 0.95 kg) were assigned to either a simple or a complex diet in a randomized block design. The trial lasted 42 days and included pre-starter 1 (days 0-7), pre-starter 2 (days 8-28), and starter (days 29-42) phases. Piglets fed the complex diet demonstrated significantly better performance across all phases. In the pre-starter 1 phase, they had greater body weight (7.73%, P = 0.001), average daily gain (47.97%, P = 0.001), and improved feed conversion ratio (22.09% better, P = 0.001). Similar trends were observed in the pre-starter 2 and starter phases. Cumulatively, complex diet-fed piglets achieved 15.20% greater average daily gain (P < 0.0001), 6.99% higher average daily feed intake (P = 0.039), and 7.00% better feed conversion ratio (P < 0.0001). Complex diets also improved fecal consistency during the pre-starter 2 phase, with a higher frequency of firm feces compared to the simple diet group (19.24%, P = 0.006). Economic analysis revealed higher feed costs (18.42%, P < 0.0001), but greater total revenue (11.22%, P < 0.0001) and profitability (gross margin + 12.58%, P = 0.002) for complex-diet groups. Behavioral observations indicated longer eating times for complex diet-fed piglets during the first week post-weaning (59.80%, P = 0.0001). Overall, complex diets enhanced growth, feed efficiency and economic returns, making them a strategic option for improving post-weaning piglet performance.

Keywords: Diarrhea; Diet complexity; Nursery phase; Production costs; Swine nutrition; Weaning.