Bacteriophages as a promising anti-pathogenic option in creep-feed for suckling piglets: Targeted to control Clostridium spp. and coliforms faecal shedding

Abstract A total of 28 crossbred sows in their third parity were allotted to one of four treatments. A 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used to investigate the response of suckling pigs and sows to two levels of supplemental bacteriophages (0 and 1.0 g/kg bacteriophages), in sows diet (SF) and suckling piglets diet (CF). The supplementation of bacteriophages in suckling piglet's diet showed increase on the number of total weaned piglets, BW at weaning and ADG of piglets. Bacteriophages in sows diet decreased faecal Clostridium spp. shedding at d 14. The number of coliforms in sows received bacteriophages was significantly lower at the end of experiment. There were reductions in population of Clostridium spp., and coliforms shedding in the feces at d 14 and d 21 of samplings with the inclusion of bacteriophages in the diet of suckling piglets. Bacteriophages in piglet's diet increased faecal Lactobacillus spp. at d 14. There was no SF×CF interaction effect for all the parameters. This study shows the benefit of targeted bacteriophages in creep feed against Clostridium spp. and coliforms of suckling piglets.