Studies on the effect of adding Jerusalem artichoke flour to pig milk replacer

Abstract

In three experiments, piglets were fed either a control milk replacer (CONT) (total 18 piglets) or one containing added immunoglobulins (+IG) (total of 18 piglets) or Jerusalem artichoke flour (+JA) (total of 18 piglets). Piglets had been left with the sow for one day to receive colostrum before starting the three experiments and had zero mortality. Scouring was not a problem in any group. In all experiments, +JA group consumed less milk than the other 2 groups. The weight gain data were variable, but in 2 of the 3 experiments the +JA group gained the least amount of weight. Key words: Milk replacer, Jerusalem artichoke, neonate