Enhance feed intake by stimulating feeding behaviors
Weaning challenges provokes drastic changes that often result in disrupting voluntary feed intake. Indeed, anorexia is observed during the first 48h after weaning, lasting up to 80 hours after weaning. This disruption causes nutritional deficiencies critical for gut development and weight gain.
Accordingly, enhancing early feed intake, particularly in the first 1-3 days post-weaning, boosts growth, improves intestinal structure and nutrient absorption, and reduces inflammation.
According to Adisseo experts, taste and palatability play a vital role in feeding behavior, with sweet flavors driving energy-seeking instincts. Animals instinctively prioritize sweet tastes and related smells to meet their energy needs, shaping future feeding habits.
Ensure a good digestive capacity
For growth, health and overall performance, an optimized digestive capacity relies on two topics: a better feed digestibility capacity and a better gut mucosa resilience and nutrient uptake.
In post-weaning piglets, two key factors challenge proper digestion. First, the immature intestine and insufficient enzyme secretion hinder nutrient digestion and absorption. Second, dietary changes disrupt enzyme activity. Together, these factors damage intestinal morphology, reduce digestive capacity, and lead to energy deficiency.
To ensure strong digestive capacity, it is crucial to support gut resilience. As the gut is compromised at weaning, intestinal development and the integrity of the intestinal barrier must be supported to maintain healthy animals.
Manage oxidative stress and inflammation
Inflammation plays a critical role in the body’s defense mechanisms, helping to combat infections and promote healing. However, if left uncontrolled, it can become harmful, leading to tissue damage and delayed protective immune responses.
Effective modulation of inflammation is crucial, and one approach is to enhance the antioxidant system, which helps regulate the inflammatory process. Additionally, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have shown significant potential in this regard, as they not only modulate immune cell activities but also exhibit strong direct anti-inflammatory properties.
