The effect of mineral supplementation on pig performance

The main condition for the production of high-quality products, reducing the use of feed is the use of feed additives of the new generation, which contain biologically active substances in their composition and have a positive effect on the metabolism in the body. The purpose of the research was to study the effect of mineral feed additives on productivity, slaughter performance and metabolism in pigs. The studied mineral additive is intended for balancing the rations of farm animals and poultry according to the level of selenium. The experiment lasted 60 days, including the main period – 55, the equalization period – 5 days according to the experiment scheme. For the experiment, 30 large white pigs were selected and two analogue groups of 15 heads were formed in each, taking into account the live weight of the animals, growth, age, sex and breed. It was established that with the additional use of a mineral supplement in the feeding of pigs of the 2nd group, the average daily growth rate increased by 14.4 % and absolute by 14.3 % (Р ≥ 0.05), relative to the control indicator. It was found that feeding a feed additive reduces feed consumption in pigs of the 2nd group by 13.3 % compared to control counterparts. With the additional consumption of feed additives, the pre-slaughter live weight of pigs of the 2nd group increases by 7.2 % (Р ≥ 0.05) and the slaughter weight by 7.8 % (Р ≥ 0.01) compared to the control value. Under the influence of the studied supplement, the thickness of fat above the 6–7 thoracic vertebra decreases by 20.0 % (Р ≥ 0.01) and the amount of internal fat by 5.8 % (Р ≥ 0.01) compared to the control group. In pigs of the 2nd group, which consumed the feed additive, the area of the “muscle eye” increased by 5.7 % (Р ≥ 0.05) and the weight of the front legs by 1.3 % (Р ≥ 0.05) compared to the control. It was found that under the influence of the studied supplement, the liver mass increased by 3.5 % (Р ≥ 0.05), while the liver output decreased by 0.1 % relative to the control indicator.