Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » West Lafayette, Indiana » Livestock Behavior Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #278414
Title: Cranberry juice and cranberry fiber are accepted by newly weaned pigs

Author
item Eicher, Susan
item RICHERT, BRIAN - Purdue University
item Rostagno, Marcos

Submitted to: Joint Abstracts of the American Dairy Science and Society of Animal Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/4/2012
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Cranberry products offer a novel mechanism to control the ability of pathogens to colonize their host. However, it is not known how well pigs will consume juice or feed with cranberry fiber incorporated. Therefore the objective of this experiment was to determine if cranberry liquid or fiber products were palatable to newly weaned pigs. A randomized complete block design was used to investigate palatability of cranberry as a liquid or as a fiber product incorporated into dry feed. Sixty four newly weaned pigs were blocked by weight into 8 pens with 4 pens/preference test (pen = experimental unit). Pigs were assigned to treatments to test for preferences of cranberry juice (0, 1, or 10% of 7.5 brix) or a control dry feed versus dry feed supplemented with 4 % cranberry fiber (both cranberry products were from Marshall Ingredients, NY). Control dry feed was provided to pigs on the liquid preference test, and water was provided for those on the dry feed preference test. Liquid choices were added as needed and weighed back every 3-d period. Dry feeds were also added as needed and weighed back every 3 d. Occurrences of eating or drinking of the test liquids and feeds were taken for 2 h from 0900 to 1100 and 1400 to 1600 for the first 3- d period by 1-min duration scan samples every 10 min. Cranberry juice (10%) was consumed more readily than water or than the 1% cranberry juice (P = 0.01) during the last 2 periods. Behavior supported the consumption of 10% cranberry juice, particularly in the morning observations, but overall was not significant (P = 0.15). Although the cranberry supplemented dry feed was eaten more on the first observation period, the treatments were similar over the remainder of the observations; and overall, the dry feeds were consumed equally (P > 0.10). Results of this study support the use of cranberry products as a liquid (10%) or as fiber (4%) added to dry feed. Future research can now determine the efficacy of the products to modulate microbial colonization and translocation and that impact on immunity during stressful periods.