Effects of Folic Acid and Zinc Oxide on Nursery Pig Growth Performance

A total of 360 barrows (DNA 600 × 241; initially 12.1 ± 0.07 lb) were used in a 38-d growth study to evaluate the effects including folic acid (Rovimix Folic Acid, DSM, Parsippany, NJ) with or without pharmacological levels Zn provided by zinc oxide (ZnO) on performance and fecal characteristics nursery pigs. Pigs weaned at approximately 19 d age randomly allotted 1 6 dietary treatments. 72 pens 5 pigs per pen 12 replications treatment. Dietary treatments arranged 3 2 factorial main (0, 20, 40 ppm) ZnO (3,000 ppm phase 1, 2,000 2, no other than 110 from trace mineral premix). Diets corn-soybean meal-based fed phases. common diet was all For experimental period (d 0 24), diets had improved (P £ 0.030) 24 BW, ADG, ADFI. There quadratic < 0.05) response for ADFI when having compared 20 ppm. 38), previously poorer = 0.028) feed efficiency Zn. Additionally, 0.008) observed ADG Overall there final acid, However, overall differences > 0.10) diets. statistical mortality although numerically lowest mortality. In conclusion, addition did not improve pig negative ppm, regardless inclusion diet.