Nettex has launched StimuLife and RevitaLyte to help farmers support piglet health and survival rates. With 50% of pre-weaning mortality occurring in the first three days of life and 90% in the first week, these new products seek to help pig producers strengthen piglets immediately after birth and into weaning.
“Lightweight and unthrifty piglets are more susceptible to disease challenge, increasing the risk of mortality pre-weaning. StimuLife has been formulated to support a piglet’s natural defences and help support the immune system,” explains pig health and nutrition specialist Dr Phil Baynes.
StimuLife is an oral paste that can be administered to small and weak piglets within 48 hours of birth. It includes colostral proteins that complement maternal colostrum, and vitamin E which acts as an antioxidant to support the piglet’s immune defence.
“Probiotics aid gut microflora stability and encourage more healthy gut environment. The inclusion of medium-chain fatty acids in StimuLife are rapidly digested and provide a much-needed ‘pick me up’ to weaker piglets both post birth, but also post-weaning,” says Dr Baynes.
A recent study demonstrated that feeding challenged piglets with 2ml of StimuLife in the first hours of life increased survival rates from a control of 76% to the supplemented percentage of greater than 90%. “Litters receiving StimuLife had a greatly increased rate of survival compared to the control litters. The supplemented piglets also gained weight faster, with a daily live weight gain (DLWG) improved by 10%,” explains Dr Baynes.
Nettex’s RevitaLyte contains a blend of organic acids and betaine to help preserve the gut lining and improve digestion. “Prebiotics in RevitaLyte help to support healthy gut function, and a balance of electrolytes aid resolution of dehydration issues, common in challenged piglets post weaning. This supports the piglet’s metabolic function in a way that also helps weight gain, and our on-farm studies found that piglets given 25 grams per litre of Revitalyte, alongside regular drinking water, for four days post weaning, had increased water intake and improved feed intake*,” he adds.
RevitaLyte is formulated to boost fluid intake and retention both pre- and post-weaning as necessary. It can also be used if piglets become stressed and to help support piglet gut health.
“The 150g single use sachets are easily dissolved in water at a concentration of 25g per litre. This nutritional tool is vital in supporting the chances of survival for any challenged piglet, and should be a staple of any pig business,” he concludes.
—ENDS—
- Farm Study B (2019-2020) – Pre-weaning
**Farm Study C (2021)
RevitaLyte WSP – Nettex (net-tex.co.uk)
StimuLife – Nettex (net-tex.co.uk)
