PSIII-19 - Copper and zinc hydroxychloride co-supplementation reduce the diarrhea frequency of finishing pigs

The study aimed to investigate the effects of the co-supplementation of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) hydroxychloride (CHC and ZHC) minerals on diarrhea frequency of growing and finishing pigs. A total of 256 pigs were distributed into 4 treatments with 8 replicate/treatment. The diets from 70 to 112 days of age (d) were T1: 100 mg/kg CuSO4 + 80 mg/kg ZnO; T2: 150 mg/kg CuSO4 + 80 mg/kg ZnO; T3: 100 mg/kg CHC + 80 mg/kg ZHC; T4: 150 mg/kg CHC + 80 mg/kg ZHC and from 112 to 154 d T1: 90 mg/kg CuSO4 + 70 mg/kg ZnO; T2: 150 mg/kg CuSO4 + 70 mg/kg ZnO; T3: 90 mg/kg CHC + 70 mg/kg ZHC; T4: 150 mg/kg CHC + 70 mg/kg ZHC. Visual analysis of the feces was carried out daily, with scores ranging from 1 to 3 for each pen: 1=solid feces (normal); 2=feces softer than normal (pasty); and 3 = liquid feces (severe diarrhea). The values of frequency were transformed into arc-sine. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS software, according to the block design. The treatment was considered a fixed effect. The effect was considered significant when P < 0.05. From 112 to 154 d, pigs that received the hydroxychloride sources showed a lower diarrhea frequency compared to the pigs fed with CuSO4 and ZnO (P < 0.05). Possibly the reduction of diarrhea in animals with CHC and ZHC was due to the higher bioavailability of these minerals, improving their functions (e.g. Cu on microbial load reduction and Zn on the protection and renewal of intestinal epithelial cells). It can be concluded that the co-supplementation of copper and zinc hydroxychloride sources reduce the diarrhea frequency of finishing pigs.