Dietary Kaolin Clay in Pre- and Post-Weaned Piglets and Its Influence on Haematological and Biochemical Parameters, and Intestinal Microflora Status

The main aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of two experimental feed additives based on kaolin clay on piglets’ health and microbiota status. The experiment was divided into 2 parts – from birth up to weaning (28 d) and later after weaning up to 70 d of age. Eighteen litters of piglets with sows were divided into 3 groups: control, A and B. The animals from experimental group A were supplemented with kaolin clay (100%), while the animals from group B received kaolin clay enriched with dried pomace of chokeberry and fructooligosaccharides. We noted an improvement in blood parameters related to anaemia, which were significantly better in the experimental group B in comparison to the control and A group (haematocrit; 37.67 and 37.40 vs 39.65%; P<0.0005). The dietary treatments during pre-weaning time influenced the increase of the E. coli strain in the colon and jejunum and had no effect on lowering the population of Salmonella and Shigella in the colon. However, it affected the quantity of Salmonella and Shigella in the jejunum in both A and B (-20%) groups. The rise of commensal bacteria Lactobacillus (+2.3 and +10%) and Bacteroides (+5.82 and +5.11%) was observed in groups A and B in the colon. This effect was not present in the jejunum.