Peracetic acid precursors as alternatives to supra-nutritional levels of zinc oxide in weaned pigs

This project assesses the impact of in-water supplementation of peracetic acid (PAA) precursors to weaner pigs on gut health and performance. Supra-nutritional levels of zinc oxide have long been used as an alternative to in-feed antimicrobial growth promotors in weaner pigs to assist the weaning transition, but are now being phased out due to concerns over its environmental burden as well as recent reports linking its use to enhanced levels of antimicrobial resistance. This work builds on recent evidence that these precursors reduce gut pH and microbial load and improve performance in broilers. The aim here is to extend these findings to other monogastric farm animals that could likewise benefit from this novel, non-antibiotic approach