ISSUE FOCUS 42 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE October 2024 the immune system, improving digestion and absorption of nutrients, contribute to lowering weaning diarrhea, while the typical odor of butyrate stimulates feed intake by the piglets. In conclusion, the use of a butyrate source in starter diets is common. Moreover, butyrate can be combined with other short or medium chain fatty acids for total antibacterial protection. The advised dosage is 750 -500 g/T for piglet starter diets or double the dosage depending on the farm conditions. A trial in an experimental farm in Belgium showed a dose response on body weight at day 49 of age, when piglets were supplemented with 750-500 g/T or 1500-1000 g/T BUTIFOUR® CCB. Another trial with weaned piglets showed an improvement of the fecal score indicating less weaning diarrhea problems. Weaning diarrhea often starts from a (protein) digestive problem, hence this explains why butyrate improves the incidence of weaning diarrhea by improving gut integrity, nutrient efficiency and by reducing gut inflammation. In summary, different animal species benefit from rapid intestinal development and established gut integrity as a basis for overall gut health and zootechnical performance. Since butyric acid has numerous benefits for the gut barrier function, butyrate-based additives are key ingredients in livestock diets for a healthy start and prolonged productivity. About Arno Duchateau Arno Duchateau is a master in bioscience engineering who graduated in 2019 at the University of Leuven (Belgium). Since 2020, he has been working as Global Product Manager in the specialty feed additives division at Impextraco focusing on gut health and mycotoxin solutions. Here, he provides technical support to business partners, customers and colleagues as well as managing different product brands from development to marketing and sales. 0 10 20 30 40 50 1 3 2 Fecal score (%) positive shift to score 1 Control BUTIFOUR® CCB Fecal score first 8 days Figure 2. Butifour® CCB improves body weight and reduces diarrheal incidence in weaned piglets. Final body weight d49 T3 BUTIFOUR® CCB 1500-750 T1 Control T2 BUTIFOUR® CCB 750-500 20 20.5 21 21.5 22 22.5 Body weight d49 (kg)
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