Nutrition plays a fundamental role in the health and productivity of livestock like pigs and poultry. Ensuring these animals receive the correct nutrients not only supports their growth but also influences their ability to reproduce and resist disease.

Dr Sipokazi Nyeleka is operations coordinator at Afrivet Training & Technical Services, and JD Mostert is a swine nutritionist at CSVet.

Together they highlight the common issues related to poor feed management and the best practices for ensuring feed safety and effectiveness.

Why essential nutrients matter

Nyeleka and Mostert emphasise the importance of providing pigs and poultry with well-balanced diets that include necessary nutrients like proteins, energy sources, vitamins and minerals.

“If pigs and poultry do not receive these nutrients, they can suffer from stunted growth, the slow development of organs, including reproductive organs, and a weakened immune system,” says Nyeleka.

The consequences of nutritional deficiencies are far-reaching. Animals that are not adequately nourished not only have slower growth rates but also face other significant challenges.

“A poor immune system means an animal struggles to fend off diseases, which ultimately affects their productivity,” she explains.

Farmers should pay close attention to the nutritional needs of their livestock at every stage of growth to ensure optimal health and performance.

The importance of energy and protein in swine nutrition

Mostert elaborates on the specific nutritional requirements for pigs. “Energy and protein form the backbone of a pig’s diet. Maize, which constitutes about 70% of a pig’s diet, serves as the primary energy source.

“This energy is essential for all bodily functions, from maintenance to growth. Protein, derived mainly from soya bean meal, is vital for tissue development and muscle growth,” he says.

A good balance of energy and protein is crucial, as an imbalance can lead to issues like protein wastage and digestive problems.

“For both digestion and protein synthesis, energy is needed at each stage. An imbalance in the energy-to-protein ratio could result in protein wastage, leading to digestive issues and microbial imbalances in the gut,” says Mostert.

The dangers of improper feed mixing

Even when farmers aim to provide balanced nutrition, improper feed mixing can lead to serious issues.

According to Nyeleka, one of the most common mistakes farmers make is not mixing feed in the correct ratios, resulting in nutrient imbalances.

“Animals, much like humans, have essential dietary requirements that must be met for proper growth and development to take place. If these nutrients are not provided in the correct ratios, the animals cannot thrive,” she says.

An under- or oversupply of nutrients can have devastating effects. “An extreme oversupply of nutrients can lead to nutritional disorders, just as undersupply can cause malnutrition. Both scenarios compromise the animal’s ability to grow, reproduce, and build a healthy immune system,” says Nyeleka.

Therefore, proper feed mixing is critical in supporting the overall well-being of pigs and poultry.

Signs of nutritional deficiencies

Identifying nutritional deficiencies in pigs and poultry can be difficult, as symptoms often result from a combination of environmental and nutritional factors.

However, Nyeleka suggests that farmers pay attention to several key signs, such as:

• Poor appetite;
• Lack of energy; and Stunted growth.

“Poor appetite can be identified by observing the feeding pans. A lack of energy is often the result of an animal not eating.” She adds that these are all signs of nutritional deficiencies.

In many cases, the clinical signs of nutrient deficiencies are subtle and can easily be mistaken for other health issues.

Therefore, regular monitoring and proper management of feed quality and quantity are essential.

Diseases linked to poor feed quality

Nyeleka says poor feed quality and nutritional imbalances are directly linked to several health issues in livestock.

“Vitamin deficiencies, especially in poultry, can result in blindness, which is something many farmers overlook. Other health issues that can arise from poor feed mixing include poor growth, weak immune systems, and reduced egg production,” she explains.

Both pigs and poultry are susceptible to infections and diseases when their diets are inadequate. Their immune systems become compromised, making them less resilient to common farm illnesses.

The impact of feed quality on feed conversion ratio and growth rates

One of the most important measures of feed efficiency in livestock farming is the feed conversion ratio (FCR), which determines how much feed is needed to produce a kilogram of meat.

Nyeleka highlights the direct correlation between feed quality and FCR: “A lower FCR value indicates better efficiency, as it signifies that less feed was needed to produce a kilogram of meat. Conversely, a higher FCR indicates an inefficiency.”

Animals that are fed nutritionally balanced diets tend to have lower FCRs, making them more efficient in converting feed into meat.

“When animals are given a diet that meets their nutritional requirements, they will have lower FCRs. However, feeding them poor-quality diets will result in higher FCRs, meaning less efficient production,” explains Nyeleka.

The growth rates of pigs and poultry are also closely linked to the quality of feed. According to Nyeleka, proper nutrition is essential for ensuring optimal growth and development.

“Feed quality and growth rates are also directly proportional because proper nutrition gives the animal the ability to grow, develop, and perform all necessary functions,” she says.

The role of nutrition in reproductive health

Nutrition affects not only growth and immune function of pigs and poultry but also their reproductive health.

Nyeleka explains that proteins provide the amino acids necessary for hormone production and tissue development.

“A deficiency of amino acids like lysine and methionine can impair fertility and reproductive performance,” she says.

For pigs, energy is particularly crucial for reproductive efficiency. “Energy affects the
overall health and reproductive efficiency of animals. Energy deficiencies can cause reduced fertility and smaller litter sizes, while excessive energy can lead to obesity, which may cause irregular oestrus cycles and birthing problems,” explains Nyeleka.

In addition, vitamin A is important for maintaining reproductive tissues and hormone production in pigs.

In chickens, minerals like calcium, selenium and zinc play a critical role in egg production and reproductive health.

“Vitamin D aids in calcium absorption, which is crucial for bone health and egg production. Selenium and zinc are important for the development and functioning of reproductive tissues, and deficiencies in this minerals can impair reproductive performance,” she adds.

Probiotics and prebiotics in feed

In recent years, the use of probiotics and prebiotics in animal feed has gained attention due to their benefits in promoting gut health and overall well-being.

Probiotics are good bacteria and yeast that fight off pathogenic bacteria, improve the immune system, and restore the gut microbial balance.

Prebiotics, on the other hand, are feed ingredients that provide food for beneficial bacteria in the gut, helping them flourish.

“Prebiotics maintain a balanced digestive microbiota, which is essential for the overall health and function of the digestive system,” explains Nyeleka.

Fibre: The unsung hero of pig nutrition

Fibre plays a critical role in a pig’s diet, primarily in supporting gut health. Pigs, like humans, are monogastric animals, which means they have only one stomach or a stomach with only one digestive chamber. One major difference, however, is that pigs have a more developed caecum, allowing them to digest fibre more effectively.

“The fibre in a pig’s diet help create a favourable environment for gut microbes, which are essential for overall gut health. These microbes assist in the digestion process and ensure that nutrients are absorbed efficiently,” says Mostert.

Wheat bran and sunflower oil cake are common sources of fibre for pigs, with wheat bran being the most widely used due to its availability and balance of nutrients.

Tailoring the diet to growth stages

Pigs’ dietary needs vary depending on their life stages. Piglets, for instance, require a higher lactose content in their diet, while finishing pigs need more energy and protein to promote lean muscle growth.

“During the early stages of life, we focus on providing piglets more lactose, as their digestive systems can effectively process this milk sugar. As they grow, their diet shifts towards more energy-dense and protein-rich feeds to support muscle development and reduce fat deposition,” says Mostert.

The goal with finishing pigs is to ensure that they develop lean muscle without accumulating excess fat. This is critical in ensuring that the pork produced is of a high quality with a desirable lean-to-fat ratio.

Best practices for feed safety

One of the primary concerns when managing livestock feed is preventing contamination, which can lead to serious health problems. For this, Nyeleka says proper feed storage is crucial.

“Feed must be stored in a cool, dry area, because wet feed can become mouldy and
produce mycotoxins, which are harmful to animals,” she explains.

Farmers should also ensure that their feed is stored on elevated surfaces to prevent rodents gaining access to it, as they can introduce diseases like salmonella.

Buying feed from reputable sellers is another essential practice that ensures feed quality and safety, she adds.

The importance of regular feed assessment and adaptation

To maximise the benefits of nutrition, regular assessment and adaptation of feed formulations are necessary.

Mostert encourages farmers to monitor the performance of their livestock regularly and adjust feed formulations based on their observations.

“Feed formulations should be reviewed regularly to adapt to the animals’ changing needs and growth stages. Regular assessments ensure that feed formulations are adjusted to meet the evolving requirements of the livestock,” he says.

Proper nutrition in pigs and poultry is critical for ensuring the health, productivity, and welfare of livestock.

Nyeleka and Mostert urge farmers to remain vigilant and adaptable to the dietary needs of their animals to achieve optimal results in their livestock operations.

Email Dr Sipokazi Nyeleka at [email protected] or JD Mostert at [email protected].