Date: 26/11/2024

Pig farming stands out as one of the most dynamic sectors in animal protein production, requiring efficient management and nutrition practices to ensure the health and growth of pigs.

In this article, we will address the nutritional requirements of pigs during their growth and fattening stages, highlighting the role of proper feeding and the addition of functional ingredients, such as Hydrolyzed Protein, that can help improve feed efficiency and animal health.

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The importance of proper nutrition in pig farming

In Brazil, pig farming is a significant sector, with approximately 2.4 million sow herds, according to the Levantamento Sistemático da Produção de Suínos (LSPS).

The success of this industry is directly linked to the nutrition of the animals, which plays a crucial role in their growth, fattening, and overall development quality.

Proper nutrition supports the health of pigs, ensures efficient feed conversion, and helps reduce costs essential factors for the sustainability of the business.

Feeding stages in pig farming

Throughout the different phases of pig farming, the nutritional requirements of the animals change, making the use of specific diets and high-quality supplements essential.

During the nursery phase, piglets adapt to solid food and require a diet that is easy to digest to support their developing digestive system and strengthen immunity, minimizing the risk of infections.

In the fattening phase, pigs experiencing rapid muscle and bone growth need a diet rich in high-quality proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, as well as vitamins and minerals, to ensure energy, health, and efficient feed conversion.

In the finishing phase, the focus shifts to achieving the ideal weight with balanced nutrition in proteins, energy, and micronutrients, which is crucial to avoid excesses that could negatively impact performance and quality.

Nutritional requirements during growth and fattening of pigs

Experts point out that nutrition accounts for up to 70% of production costs during the development phase, including growth and fattening.

From the growth phase, which typically begins around 25 kg, pigs require a diet rich in carbohydrates and proteins, with essential amino acids being crucial for muscle development.

During this process, the rapid growth of muscle tissue means that animals may consume less feed than required to meet their nutritional needs. Therefore, it is critical that the formulation of the feed, with a high palatability index, includes high-quality proteins and appropriate energy sources to ensure their needs are fully met.

This approach ensures that the pigs receive the necessary nutrition for proper development and maximizes feed conversion efficiency.

BioActio Health & Performance as a resource for pig feed

BioActio Health & Performance is BRF Ingredients' Hydrolyzed Chicken Protein, an ingredient rich in scientifically proven functional bioactive peptides. Produced through the enzymatic hydrolysis process of chicken viscera, organ, and meat proteins, it is an ingredient that promotes maximum performance and health while being hypoallergenic.

Studies show that the inclusion of 6% BioActio Health & Performance in the diets of weaned piglets resulted in significant growth compared to diets without the addition of this ingredient. This suggests that BioActio can enhance the nutritional profile of swine diets, promoting better growth performance during early stages of development.

During the hydrolysis process, bioactive peptides are also generated, sequences of amino acids with biological potential. These peptides have antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, which can benefit the immune system of pigs and improve their resistance to pathogens. This suggests that hydrolyzed proteins can play a significant role in enhancing animal health, particularly by supporting immune function and reducing the impact of infections.

In another test, conducted with 1,350 weaned piglets at a Brazilian university, these smaller chains of peptides and free amino acids can promote high digestibility and a feed preference of up to 87%.

With smaller peptide chains, 100% below 3,000 Da, BioActio Health & Performance becomes hypoallergenic, reducing the likelihood of causing allergic reactions in pigs.

Final considerations

Pig farming requires precise nutrition tailored to each phase of development, from nursery to finishing, in order to achieve high productivity levels and full growth.

Moreover, animal nutrition plays a key role in the healthy growth of pigs and in maximizing efficiency in pig farming. Proper feed solutions, which include nutritious ingredients like Hydrolyzed Chicken Protein, can optimize digestibility and provide the necessary amino acids at each phase of pig development.

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