ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE November 2025 55 they evoke comforting associations with mother’s milk, which helps to stabilize feed intake during the weaning period. Similarly, incorporating red fruit flavours into piglets' diets can be beneficial for enhancing performance and welfare. Many animals, including piglets, have a natural preference for sweet tastes, making red fruit flavours - being both sweet and fruity - inherently appealing. These flavours mimic the taste of ripe, nutrient-rich fruits, which are attractive to piglets and associated with providing essential energy and nutrients. Considering piglets’ instinctive behavior and nutritional requirements, adding red fruit flavours offers a distinct and appealing option that has the potential to effectively enhance feed intake and support overall well-being. Improving feed acceptance during weaning is crucial, as this period represents a significant dietary transition from a milk-based diet to solid feed. The use of flavours that align with piglets' natural preferences can facilitate this transition and contribute to more stable and efficient feeding patterns. USE OF PHYTOBIOTICS' RASPBERRY FLAVOUR IN PIGLET FEEDING A field study conducted in Germany investigated the impact of varying concentrations of Phytobiotics’ raspberry flavour on piglet performance during weaning. The study aimed to evaluate how different levels of Bigarol Raspberry P influence piglets’ feed intake and growth. Study Design The study involved 256 piglets, each 3 weeks old, with an average body weight of 7.6 kg. These piglets were sourced from a commercial farm and housed at the research facility Haus Düsse in Bad Sassendorf, Germany. The piglets were randomly assigned to four groups, with each group receiving a different dietary treatment: Treatment 1 (Control): no raspberry flavour added; Treatment 2: 100 g of Bigarol Raspberry P per ton of feed; Treatment 3: 200 g of Bigarol Raspberry P per ton of feed, and Treatment 4: 400 g of Bigarol Raspberry P per ton of feed. Bigarol Raspberry P was incorporated into the feed prior to the pelleting process. Its formulation is specifically designed to be heat-stable, maintaining its flavour profile and effectiveness throughout the feed processing. Each group consisted of 8 piglets per pen, and performance data, including body weight, feed intake, and weight gain, were monitored and recorded weekly over a 5-week trial period. Photo: Phytobiotics
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