BLOGS > SUPPORT GROWTH OF WEANED PIGLETS WITH AN ALL-IN-ONE FEED ADDITIVE

Weaning is a stressful occasion in the life of a young piglet. Feed intake and pathogen control in the gut are under pressure, resulting in several challenges for the young animal. Gut health is often compromised, leading to poor feed conversion, diarrhea and reduced growth. Farmers and nutritionists are asking the same question:

How can we support health of weaned piglets and reduce intestinal problems?

To show how Olus supports weaned piglets during this period, we conducted a practical field trial with Elan®Control C12. Read more about this broad-spectrum feed additive, developed to improve gut health and performance. 

WHAT IS ELAN®CONTROL C12

THE ALL-IN-ONE FEED ADDITIVE

Elan®Control C12 is an innovative feed additive that improves gut health through effectively controlling pathogens in production animals. It is developed to support growth efficiency and performance, resulting in higher weight gain and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR). The product is formulated as an all-in-one, broad-spectrum solution with a strong antibacterial improvement against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. This product is formulated with:

• Monoglycerides: C3 (monopropionin), C4 (monobutyrin), C8 (monocaprylin) and C10 (monocaprin)
  • Monolaurin: C12 (monolaurin) is known for its presence in medium-chain glycerides used in feed formulations
• Essential oils: Botanical compound derived

HOW IT SUPPORTS WEANED PIGLETS

This product creates synergies between short-chain and medium-chain glycerides and essential oils, helping to overcome the negative influence of various pathogens throughout the intestinal tract. Its effectiveness is not pH-dependent, which means the active components can work throughout the full digestive system.

• Short-chain glycerides (monopropionin and monobutyrin):
  • Primarily target Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli, Salmonella)
  • Complex membrane structure for Gram-negative bacteria makes them difficult to disrupt
  • Penetrate bacterial membranes, alter DNA structures, and weaken bacteria. Thereby inhibiting replication and supporting preventing spread

• Medium-chain glycerides (monocaprylic, monocapric, and monolaurin):
  • Destabilise bacterial membrane integrity
  • Particularly effective against Gram-positive bacteria (Clostridium perfringens, Streptococcus suis)
  • More susceptible to disrupting cell walls, preventing bacterial survival
  • Monolaurin supports the immune system and enhances inflammatory responses
    • Helps maintain controlling lipid-enveloped viruses (for example PRRS)

• Essential oils:
  • Antimicrobial activity through membrane disruption, inhibition of cell division, inhibition of biofilm formation and quorum sensing inhibition
  • It has anti-inflammatory activity and antioxidant activity and works in synergy with SCFA and MCFA

FIELD TRIAL UNDER PRACTICAL CONDITIONS

MATERIALS AND METHODS

• Trial conducted on a commercial closed sow farm with 3,102 Tempo × Hypor piglets (weaned at 25 days)
• 64 pens with litters kept together; ~48 piglets per pen
• Three-phase diet (topwean, starter, grower) based on wheat, barley, and soybean meal
• Elan®Control C12 added at 4.5 kg/ton as topdressing
• Feed and water provided ad libitum; performance measured on day 4 and 25 post-weaning

RESULTS AFTER 21 DAYS TRIAL PERIOD

Production performance of weaned piglets during the 21 day trial period, showed the following improvements compared to the control group:

In this specific trial, weaned piglets supplemented with Elan®Control C12 showed an increase in body weight gain of 102g over the 21-day trial period, representing an ADG (average daily gain) of +5g in the treatment group compared to the control group. A 2.8% reduction in initial body weight and a 0.6% reduction in final body weight resulted in a 2.2% improvement in growth of weaned piglets. Feed intake per animal was almost the same during this period, leading to an improved FCR by 2 points. Mortality was slightly reduced.

This trial showed that Elan®Control C12 improves body weight gain and piglet survival, resulting in higher production performance. These observations suggest potential benefits for production parameters under similar conditions. Individual results may vary depending on specific farm conditions, management practices, and other factors.

*The trial was carried out in a very well managed farm with good hygiene practices. Therefore the bacterial pressure was low.

RETURN ON INVESTEMENT

Based on current feed prices and piglet revenues, the return on investment in this trial was 4.9 (including the customer price of Elan®Control C12).

CONCLUSIONS

WHY CHOOSE ELAN®CONTROL C12

Dietary supplementation of Elan®Control C12 as a topdressing on piglet feed demonstrated clear benefits for production performance in weaned piglets:

• Improved growth: Body Weight Gain (BWG) by 2.2%  improved growth (102g more body weight)
• Mortality has reduced
• Improved Feed Conversion: Ratio (FCR) by 2 points

Thanks to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial improvement and immune-supporting properties, Elan®Control C12 shows that it can be a valuable feed additive to support gut health and performance in weaned piglets, naturally and efficiently.

* Results may vary depending on specific farm conditions and management practices.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

NIENKE VAN MISPELAAR – SALES MANAGER SWINE

Nienke van Mispelaar has joined the Olus team since 2024. She finished her bachelor’s degree in Pig and Poultry Farming at Aeres Hogeschool in Dronten. Last spring she traveled to Ghana for her graduate internship at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. This university has a faculty in animal sciences. Helped with a study on the optimal distribution of corn and cassava in broiler feed and learned a lot about the culture and mentality of the people there. Her mission is to work with farmers to improve the health and production performance of their animals in a sustainable way. 

Contact Nienke today for personalised advice tailored to your situation on how Elan®Control C12 can improve piglets’ growth and health.