Effect of nano zinc oxide or chelated zinc as alternatives to medical zinc oxide on growth performance, faecal scores, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles and faecal <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Lactobacillus</i> concentrations in weaned piglets

A total of 144 weaned piglets (6.80 ± 0.46 kg, [Landrace × Yorkshire] Duroc) were used in a 4-week feeding trial to determine the effect nano zinc oxide or chelated as alternatives medical (ZnO) piglets. The pigs randomly distributed one 6 treatment groups (4 pen, replicate pens per treatment). dietary treatments negative control (NC), no additional diet; positive (PC), NC + 2500 mg/kg ZnO; 100 mg Chelate (NC chelate); 200 Nano ZnO nanoparticles), and nanoparticles). growth performance fed PC diets significantly higher than that (p < .05). In overall periods, faecal scores increased .05) group compared groups. apparent tract digestibility (ATTD) crude protein Lactobacillus concentrations decreased other ATTD was conclusion, showed similar effects on performance, nutrient digestibility, weaning ZnO.HIGHLIGHTSTo evaluate an alternative pigletsHigh-dose nanoparticle supplementation beneficial digestibilitySupplementation with glycine resulted .01) groups.Faecal diet groups.Nano-ZnO at had lower excretion given oxide.