Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-7cvxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T18:21:01.568Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Supplementation of bacon pig rations by aureomycin and two levels of copper sulphate

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 1961

D. B. Bellis
D. B. Bellis
Affiliation:
Unilever Limited, Food Research Department, Sharnbrook, Beds
Get access

Extract

A trial has been carried out to determine the effects of supplementing bacon pig diets with 125 and 250 ppm. copper (as copper sulphate) and/or aureomycin (14·4 ppm.). A total of 288 pigs were fed ad lib. from 40·100lb., and restricted-fed thereafter to bacon weight (200 1b.). Growth rate was increased by 125 ppm. copper, 250 ppm. copper, and aureomycin during the ad lib. feeding period. The magnitude of the responses was about the same in each case.

During the fattening stage from 100 1b. to bacon weight, 125 ppm. copper or aureomycin increased food conversion efficiency; 250 ppm. copper however improved growth rate also. There was probably some additive effect of 125 ppm. copper and aureomycin when fed together, but it is unlikely that such an effect occurred with the higher level of copper and aureomycin.

The liver copper content of pigs fed 125 ppm. copper was 3 times higher than that of the controls; 250 ppm. copper increased liver copper storage about 18·fold.

The similarity in response of copper and aureomycin feeding to pigs is discussed. It is concluded that, under the conditions of the trial, their mode of action is similar. Under similar conditions in general farm practice there is unlikely to be any economic advantage in supplementing pig diets containing 250 ppm copper with aureomycin; however, the bacterial environment may sometimes be such that additional benefit will be obtained by joint supplementation.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 3 , Issue 1 , February 1961 , pp. 89 - 95
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1961

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Barber, R. S., Braude, R., & Mitchell, K. G., 1955. Antibiotic and copper supplements for fattening pigs. Brit. J. Nutr., 9: 378.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bose, R. C, Chatworthy, W. H., & Shrikhande, S. S., 1954. Tables of partially balanced designs with two associate classes. N. Carolina Agric. Exp. Sta. Tech. Bull., No. 107.Google Scholar
Braude, R., 1945. Some observations on the need for copper in the diet of fattening pigs. J. agric. Sci., 35: 163.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lucas, I. A. M., & Calder, A. F. C., 1957. Antibiotics and a high level of copper sulphate in rations for growing and fattening pigs. J. agric. Sci., 49: 184.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
National Research Council, U.S.A., 1959. Nutrient requirements for swine. Nat. Res. Counc. Publ., No. 648.Google Scholar