Testing of Growth Promoting and Protective Activity of the Probiotic Lactiferm in Weaned Piglets

Abstract

A positive effect of the probiotic product Lactiferm containing Enterococcus faecium M 74 (NCIMB 11181) as an active component on the performance of weaned piglets was found. Animals of the experimental group had non-significantly higher weight from 4.1 to 11.1% during the entire experiment. However, weight gains in the period between days 15 and 38 of the experiment and total weight gains were significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared with controls. Feed conversion was 1.905 and 1.872 kg in the control and experimental groups, respectively. The levels of selected biochemical and haematological characteristics ranged within physiological or reference values. No clinical signs of disease were observed in piglets.