Study adds weight to healthy feed claims 

Piglets have a healthier gut and gain more in weight when they are weaned on feed supplemented with HP 300 from HAMLET PROTEIN. A new study has compared the effect of our nutritious soya protein with that of standard soya bean meal on piglet growth and wellbeing.

Protein strengthens piglet growth

The results of a new study have added more weight to the case for supplementing piglet feed with the speciality soya protein HP 300 from HAMLET PROTEIN.

Pig farmers who choose piglet feed containing HP 300 can expect a smoother weaning phase with reduced susceptibility to E. coli bacteria, improved feed intake and increased body weight gain, according to a new study. That means healthier animals in the stalls and higher profits on the bottom line.

Conducted by CCL Research in The Netherlands, the study compared the effect on piglets fed a wheat-barley-corn diet supplemented with HP 300 or conventional soya bean meal. On day six and seven of the 14-day study, the piglets were challenged with E. coli K88 – a common bacteria in pig stalls and a frequent cause of diarrhoea and piglet fatalities.

Significant weight gain

Overall, the average weight gain of the piglets fed HP 300 was 28% higher than that of the group on the diet supplemented with soya bean meal, while feed intake increased just 14%, indicating a substantial improvement in feed utilisation.

“At this improved growth rate, piglets can be expected to reach a target weight of 30kg in 72 days – around five days faster than the average for conventional feed,” says Lars Sangill Andersen, Feed Application Manager at HAMLET PROTEIN.

In addition, the improved feed efficiency and lower age on reaching 30kg gives a feed saving of around 3.5kg feed per piglet.

High E. coli resistance

Faecal samples taken at regular intervals during the study period showed consistently lower faecal shedding of E. coli in the piglets on the HP 300-supplemented diet.

Lars Sangill Andersen puts the finding down to the composition of HP 300, which contains none of the natural soya sugars that promote E. coli growth in the gut.

“The low faecal shedding of E. coli is the direct explanation for the increased weight gain,” he comments. “This shows the piglets were able to recover from stress more quickly – a significant benefit that saves labour, time and costs for the farmer.”

The study supports the findings of an earlier study on weaned piglets where HP 300 was seen to reduce the incidence of diarrhoea.

HP 300 – a valuable supplement to piglet feed

• Improved gut health
• Increased growth rate
• Higher profits

Should you have any nutritional questions regarding this study - please feel free to contact Feed Application Manager Lars Sangill Andersen at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

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