Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 September 2010
1. An experiment is described in which 194 pairs of piglets on 10 commercial farms were reared out of doors with access to soil, either on free range or in field pens. One piglet from each pair received 200 mg. of iron as a parenterally administered iron dextrin complex. The soil type and the iron content of the soil were determined on each farm.
2. During the first 8 weeks of life, the treated piglets showed a small but significant positive growth response of 1–2 lb. (3·0%). The response was greater (2·1 lb.) in piglets reared in field pens, but was non-significant in those reared on free range.
3. Differences in blood haemoglobin levels, mortality and the incidence of runt piglets were not significant.
4. Total body iron increased during the first 3 weeks of life by a mean of 339 mg., of which approximately 295 mg. appeared to be derived from the soil.