PSIII-10 - Effect of different copper sources on growth performances in nursery pigs

Abstract: Copper plays a significant role in the growth performance of pigs, influencing feed efficiency and nutrient retention. Recent studies indicate that the source and concentration of copper can markedly affect growth metrics such as average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratios. A total of 1,144 newly weaned pigs (initial body weight (BW) 5.9 ± 1.2 kg) were used to evaluate the effects of copper (Cu) supplementation from two tribasic copper chloride (TBCC) sources and one chelated copper (cCu) source on growth performance of nursery pigs. Pigs were blocked by BW and housed 26 pigs per pen in 44 pens in a randomized block design. Each pen was assigned to one of four dietary treatments within each block that consisted of: 1) Control (corn-soybean meal (SBM) diet which was formulated to provide 12 ppm of Cu from TBCC), 2) Control + TBCC #1 providing 150 ppm of Cu, 3) Control + cCu providing 150 ppm of Cu, and 4) Control + TBCC #2 providing 150 ppm of Cu. Pigs received 2.5, 5.5, and 16 kg and the feeding phases lasted 12, 9, and 14 days for Phases 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Feed remaining each week was calculated using a calibration curve based on the distance from the top of the feeder to the top of the feed and the feed density. Additionally, total pen weights were measured each week using a scale to capture the weight of all pigs in each pen. In Phase 1 (0-12 d), ADG (200 vs. 170 g/d) and ADFI (230 vs. 210 g/d) were improved (P < 0.01) by Cu compared to Control. Also, TBCC #1 had a significantly higher gain:feed ratio (G:F) than Control (0.82 vs. 0.62; P = 0.02) in Phase 1. In Phase 2 and Phase 3, no significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed among treatments in ADG, ADFI, nor G:F. Overall, all Cu supplementation showed equivalent results throughout the trial, with only slight numerical differences between each other. These results indicate that growth performance of pigs was influenced influenced by increasing feed intake due to copper inclusion.