Effet d'une supplémentation alimentaire en additifs sensoriels depuis le sevrage sur la prise alimentaire, les préférences et la croissance de porcelets pendant la période post-sevrage

In pig production, feed additives are commonly used to improve feed palatability and zootechnical performances. This study investigated the effect of feed supplementation from weaning with 3 feed additives (FA; FA1, FA2 or FA3) on feed intake and preferences and growth in piglets. At weaning, 32 female pigs were distributed into 4 experimental groups and fed either a control diet without FA (C group) or diets supplemented with 1 of the 3 FA (FA1, FA2, FA3 groups). The pigs received a starter‐1 diet from day 1 (weaning) to 15, and a starter‐2 diet from day 16 to 28. On days 16, 23 and 26, the animals were subjected to consecutive 1‐h and 22‐h 2‐choice feeding tests with the FA diet corresponding to their group and the C diet. No difference in the voluntary daily feed intake and growth was found between groups. During the 1‐h tests, the pigs of the FA1 group preferred the FA1 diet to the C diet on day 23, and the pigs of the FA3 group preferred the FA3 diet on day 26. However, preferences were influenced by a high inter‐individual variability and no consistent preference pattern was highlighted in these 2 groups. The pigs of the FA2 group consistently preferred the FA2 diet during the tests, and it was significant during the 22‐h tests on days 16 and 26. In conclusion, although no beneficial effect on zootechnical performances was highlighted during the early post‐weaning period in this study, the FA2 seemed to improve feed palatability