The Effect of Vitamin B12, Aureomycin, Streptomycin, or Dried Whey Factor Supplements on the Growth and Fattening of Weanling Pigs

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Abstract
In a 98-day feeding expt. with 36-lb. weanling pigs fed on concrete floors, the addition of 12.5 [mu]g. vit. B12 and 8.5 mg. of aureomycin (Lederle''s APF) per lb. of an all-plant protein ration (fortified with the 3 B-vits., vits. A and D oil, and essential minerals) significantly increased the growth rate about 22%, while the addition of 12.5 ug.B12 (0.1% Merck''s APF) per lb. of finished feed improved the growth rate only 5%, (L.s.d., 5% level[long dash]0.17 lb.). Both supplements improved feed efficiency slightly. The addition of 2% dried whey to the basal ration failed to increase the growth rate of pigs. Even the combination of vit B12 and 2% dried whey in the basal ration resulted in no better performance than vit. B12 supplementation. The feeding of 15 mg. of pure streptomycin base plus 12.5 [mu]g. vit. B12 per lb. of total ration significantly improved the growth response of the pigs fed either the basal ration or the basal ration plus 12.5 [mu]g. vit. B12 plus 2.5 mg. of pure streptomycin base per lb. of finished feed. The streptomycin additions improved the feed efficiency slightly. The addition of 15 mg. of streptomycin in the basal ration containing no added vit. B12 gave only a slight growth response. These data suggest that vit B12 must be present in adequate amts. to produce max. growth stimulation and to improve feed efficiency when antibiotics are fed. Furthermore, antibiotics vary as to their most effective level for promoting max. performance. Antibiotics and/or vit B12 produced more uniform growth response and improved the appetites of pigs fed the basal plant protein ration,.