Effect of a herbal preparation including nanoencapsulated thymol, carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde in feed on production parameters in the farrow-to-wean sector

Abstract

Introduction: Plant extracts have been noted to be effective against multiple bacterial and viral pathogens. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a preparation based on nanoencapsulated thymol, carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde administered in the feed to farrowing sows on piglet production parameters. Material and Methods: The farrowing group unit had a stocking density of 1,100 pens, divided into groups of 25 stalls. The experiment was carried out in a group of 168 sows. The animals were selected and placed in the farrowing house in a randomised procedure. The animals were divided into two equal groups (84 animals in each), a control group and an experimental group. Appropriate biosecurity rules were applied and adhered to for each stage of production. Results: The results showed positive effects of the supplement in feed in terms of average birth weight of litters and of piglets and number of piglet days fed by the sow. The experimental group of farrowing sows showed more effective feed consumption, better condition of the sows during weaning of the piglets, more even litters in terms of health and a significantly lower number of piglet deaths. Conclusion: The use of the preparation positively influenced the number of piglets sold, with 88.5% reaching the market in the experimental group compared to 82.6% in the control group. In addition, fewer abortions and less lameness were observed in the experimental group than in the control group. The piglets born of control group sows performed worse economically than piglets born of experimental group sows, requiring feeding or being sold underweight.