An alternative to sulfa-containing antibiotics for starter pigs

Abstract

An on-farm starter trial was conducted to compare the efficacy of a non-sulfa containing antibiotic (Mecadox®) to that of a sulfa-containing antibiotic (ASP-250®). Two hundred and forty pigs weaned at 3 wk of age were placed in a hot-nursery and all fed a high nutrient density diet containing the antibiotic apramycin (Apralan®) for 1 week. For the next 3 wk, pigs received complex diets containing either ASP-250 or Mecadox. Pigs were then moved. to a cold nursery and fed simple diets with the same antibiotic treatment for the final 2 wk. Average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed efficiency were unaffected by type of antibiotic used for the overall 2 wk, 3 wk, and 5 wk periods. Therefore, the sulfa-containing antibiotics ASP-250, can be replaced with the alternative feed additive Mecadox without adversely affecting pig performance during an extended starter phase.