USE OF BIRCH BARK EXTRACT IN THE DIET OF WEANED PIGLETS

The article presents the results of studying the effect of a feed phytobiotic based on betulin, obtained from birch bark, on some physiological and zootechnical parameters of thw body of weaned piglets. The animals were divided into two groups – experimental and control. In addition to the main diet, the animals of the experimental group received betulin at a rate of 5 mg/kg of live weight per day. The duration of the experiment was 79 days. The positive effect of betulin was shown, as evidenced by physiological and zootechnical parameters. Weaned piglets, to whose diet betulin was additionally introduced, had higher average daily live weight gain. In the experimental group, it was 368 g, and in the control – 333 g. The hepatoprotective property of betulin was confirmed; the bilirubin level in the blood serum of weaned piglets of the experimental group was 13,3% lower.