Formulación de una dieta alternativa pre-destete y destete en lechones de engorde en la granja Santa Inés

Abstract

This study focuses on the formulation and evaluation of an alternative diet for fattening piglets during the pre-weaning and weaning stages at the Santa Inés farm, in the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the Technical University of Machala. The research aims to optimize feeding during these critical pre-weaning and weaning stages, where dietary changes can affect intestinal health, growth, and piglet mortality. A total of 53 piglets were used in a completely randomized experimental design with two treatments: T1 (feeding with maternal milk and pre-weaning and weaning balanced feed) and T2 (feeding exclusively with maternal milk until weaning). Variables such as weight gain, feed intake, and stress levels in piglets were analyzed. The results indicated that piglets fed the balanced diet (T1) showed better weight gain and a lower incidence of digestive problems compared to those in group T2. Additionally, nutritional and social stress was higher in piglets fed only with maternal milk, particularly from the third week of weaning onward, suggesting that an unprepared dietary transition may negatively impact animal development. It is concluded that the implementation of balanced diets from pre-weaning is key to improving piglet performance, reducing stress, and enhancing feed conversion efficiency.