The study evaluated the effects of a second iron injection given to suckling pigs at 7 to 8 d of age after receiving an initial injection at 2 to 3 d of age and fed diets containing different dietary iron levels in the nursery period on growth, hematological characteristics, serum and liver trace minerals, and fecal microbiome. The study involved 70 newborn pigs receiving 1 or 2 iron injections in the suckling period and fed nursery diets with 100 or 200 ppm iron. Results showed that the second iron injection to suckling pigs increased hemoglobin and serum iron levels until the early nursery period and liver iron content at weaning and improved the overall growth performance of nursery pigs. The high dietary iron level increased hemoglobin levels at the end of the study but had no effect on growth. The fecal microbiome diversity was influenced by both iron injection and dietary iron level. The results suggest that the second iron injection to suckling pigs could enhance postweaning growth performance by improving hematological characteristics and altering the fecal microbiome regardless of dietary iron level.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.