Effect of different forms of trace minerals on the performance of exotic pigs

A feeding trial was carried out with 27 weaning (30-days-old) Large White Yorkshire piglets. The piglets were supplemented with trace minerals like copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) in 3 conventional (T-1), inorganic chelated mineral (T-2) and organic chelated mineral (T-3) forms respectively. A pre-weaning 30 days experimental period showed that body weight gain was highest in inorganic chelated group (T-2) followed by organic chelated group (T-3) and conventional group (T-1) but the differences were not statistically significant (P < 0.05). The highest feed consumption was observed in T-3 followed by T-1 and T-2. However, superior feed efficiency was observed in T-2 followed by T-3 and T-1 groups. The post-weaning 60 days experimental period showed that the piglets maintained superior trend of growth with chelated minerals than conventional but the differences were statistically significant (P > 0.05). The feed efficiency ratio in post-weaning period was the best in the organic chelated group (T-3) followed by T-2 and T-1 groups. The performance index in the post-weaning period was higher in organic chelated group (T-3) followed by T-2 and T-1 groups. The overall performance of piglets for pre and post-weaning (0-90 days) experimental period showed that both inorganic and organic chelated trace minerals (T-2 and T-3) had superior body weight gain, better feed efficiency ratio, higher performance index and digestibility of nutrients than conventional trace minerals (T-1). Economic of feeding showed that highest profit was obtained with inorganic chelated group (T-2) followed by organic chelate (T-3) and conventional trace minerals (T-1) on the performance of piglets.