Effect of Vitamin, Trace Mineral, and Electrolyte Supplementation on Commingled Feeder Pig Performance1

Five hundred twenty-eight commingled feeder pigs transported over 1000 km were utilized in two experiments to determine the effect of vitamins, trace minerals, and electrolyte additions to drinking water and receiving diets on health and performance to slaughter weight. In Exp. 1, there was no interaction (P>.1) between the use of a commercial vitamin-electrolyte water medication and oats addition to receiving diets (0 vs. 20%) for 5 d postarrival. Neither water medication nor receiving diet had an effect (P>.1) on average daily gain (ADG), daily feed intake, or feed conversion (FIG) from arrival to 96-kg live weight. In Exp. 2 vitamins and trace minerals added at rates of 1, 2, and 3 times the NRC (11) recommended levels to receiving diets offered for 3 wk resulted in no difference (P>.1) in ADG or FIG for the 0- to 56-d period postarrival. A linear (P<.05) decrease in overall ADG (.62, .61, and .59 kg/d) and an increase in FIG (3.48, 3.51, and 3.59) may have been confounded with a disease outbreak during wk 9 of Trial 2. The results suggest that commingled feeder pigs do not respond to elevated levels of vitamins or trace minerals immediately postarrival, either in the feed or drinking water. The addition of 20% oats to receiving diets for 2 wk postarrival had no effect on overall pig performance or health.