Experimental Study On The Effect Of Zeolite (Clinoptilolite) On The Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, And Faecal Microbiota Of Finishing Pigs

The aim of this study was conducted to determine the clinoptilolite in diets as a growth promoter on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and faecal microflora in finishing pigs. A total of 180 finishing pigs [(Landrace x Yorkshire) x Duroc; 50.20 +/- 1.92 kg] were used in 84 days in experimental feeding trials. There were 12 replication pens in each treatment, with 5 pigs/pen (three barrows and two gilts). Dietary treatment groups were as follows: (1) basal diet (CON), (2) CON + 0.05% clinoptilolite (T1), (3) CON + 0.1% clinoptilolite (T2). On day 84, there was a linear increase in body weight (BW) (P < 0.05) of finishing pigs fed diets supplemented with clinoptilolite. During day 35-84 and overall experimental period, increasing the concentration of clinoptilolite linearly improved the average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.05) and gain: feed ratio (G/F) (P < 0.05). The clinoptilolite treatments reduced Escherichia. coli (P < 0.05) counts compared with CON treatment. And, no significant effect was found in any treatments on nutrient digestibility (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the dietary supplementation with clinoptilolite has been shown to improve growth performance and gut health in finishing pigs.