FerkoFer®

• Lactose
• Fruit pulp, dried (apple, citrus)
• Potato protein
• Potato starch

Additives

• Nutritional, E1 Iron:
• Iron compoundt 3b105 Iron(II)fumarate, 3b108 Iron(II)chelate of glycine hydrate, 3b106 Iron(II)chelate amino acid hydrate, 3b103 Iron(II)sulfate monohydrate.

Sensory: E954(ii) Sodium saccharin 455 mg, 2b959 Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone 1 mg.

• The piglets regulate their iron intake as their individual needs
• The iron supply is secured 100%
• No injection injuries
• Non-Medicated

The piglets are born with a low iron deposits, and the content of iron in the sow milk does not cover the piglets need. Iron plays an important role in the piglets health and growth. Iron is involved in several processes in the body and a significant part of the iron is found in the hemoglobin in the blood. Without iron supplementation the piglet will not thrive and will eventually develop iron deficiency.

Iron

Iron plays an important role in health and diseases in piglets. Iron is a vital component of the hemoglobin in the red blood cells (erythrocytes) that transports the oxygen around the body. Iron is also involved in a wide range of processes in the body. In the farrowing pen, the piglet needs iron for the building of tissue and blood. Sow milk does not contain enough iron, so it is important that the piglets have access to an alternative iron source. For a number a years, there has been a focus on raising the hemoglobin level in piglets, as several studies have shown that higher hemoglobin levels lead to higher growth.

Iron is a mineral which in small amounts is essential to the body, but in excessive amounts it is harmful. It has long been discussed which hemoglobin level is optimal for the piglet. It is widely accepted that hemoglobin levels below 90 g/l are the level of iron defi ciency, levels between 90-110 g/l are suboptimal and that levels above 110 g/l are optimal. Some try to get as high hemoglobin levels as possible, but when does it become toxic to the piglet?

Iron absorption in the intestine

Dietetic iron is absorbed in the proximal part of the small intestine by a regulated process that controls the iron homeostasis of the body, since iron excretion is not regulated in mammals. Two mechanisms support the absorption of iron from the feed. These are the transporters DMT1 (divalent metal transporter 1) and ferroportin. DMT1 is responsible for transporting iron from the gastrointestinal tract and into the intestinal cells. Ferroportin transports iron from the intestinal cells into the bloodstream. In the blood iron binds to transferrin and is transported to the liver, spleen and bone marrow, where it is stored or used for hemoglobin or erythrocyte synthesis. When the liver registers a suffi cient level of iron, it produces the hormone hepcidin. Hepcidin is sent via the bloodstream to the intestine where it acts on the iron transporter ferroportin, which downregulates the iron uptake.

Hepcidin also reduces the iron export from the macrophages that recycle the iron from the erythrocytes in the blood and from the storage cells in the liver. This makes hepcidin the key regulator of the iron metabolism.

Furthermore, hepcidin plays an important role in the immune response to infections. During an infection hepcidin will decrease iron absorption in the intestine and withhold iron in the macrophages and liver cells making it unavailable to the invading bacteria. The growth of the pathogenic bacteria is thereby inhibited as there is not
enough iron available. 

 Dietetic iron absorption

A - DMT1
B - ferroportin
C - transferrin
D - hepcidin

Iron overload

Iron injections bypass the naturally regulated iron absorption, and therefore the piglet is at risk of suffering from iron overload, as it cannot excrete the excess amount or iron. When a large amount of iron is injected, it will disturb the natural iron metabolism. When the administered iron exceeds the binding capacity of transferrin, there will be free iron in the body. The free iron will catalyze the formation of free radicals which can lead to oxidative stress. The free radicals damage the cells by breaking down the cell walls and damaging proteins and DNA in the cells.

Oxidative stress

• ↓ feed intake
• ↓ weight gain
• ↑ diarrhea and infections
• ↑ mortality

Experiments have shown that iron injections cause a high concentration of iron in the blood. This leads to a high peak in hepcidin which downregulates the iron absorption from the intestinal tract. At the same time, large accumulations of iron in the liver can be seen, and various markers of oxidative stress in the liver can be measured. As many piglets run out of iron before weaning, many have started using two injections to ensure optimal hemoglobin levels at weaning

• FerkoFer is a safe an practical way to meet the piglets individual iron needs during lactation.
• Ferkofer is microincapsulated and combines several iron sources, lactose, fibers and sweetener. The microincapsulation secures that all ingredients are available in one particle and that the product is homogenous.
• Lactose and sweetener give the product a good taste and secures a good appetite.
• With FerkoFer the piglets absorb the iron naturally through the intestine over a longer period. The natural administration of iron as a feed stimulates the piglets naturally rooting behavior and prepares the piglets for uptake of dry feed.
• FerkoFer cover the piglets iron needs completely with 3 administrations per litter.
• FerkoFer is labor-saving and easy to integrate into the normal working routines in the herd.
• Ferkofer is administred in a PlayFeeder trough or directly on a clean and dry surface.

• FerkoFer is a safe and practical way to meet the piglets individual iron needs during lactation.
• With FerkoFer the piglets absorb the iron naturally through the intestine over a longer period.
• 3 administration of FerkoFer per litter cover the piglets iron needs completely. Ferkofer can also be used as follow up on iron injection by 1-2 administrations per litter.
• FerkoFer is administered in a PlayFeeder trough or directly on a clean and dry surface in the area of the piglets resting area, but out of reach of the sow.

• FerkoFer is a microencapsulated oral iron supplement with taste. It is a safe method to ensure the individual iron requirement of the piglets without any risk of injection injuries. With FerkoFer the piglets absorb the iron in a natural way via the intestine over a longer period.
• Without iron supplement, the piglets will not thrive and will eventually develop iron deficiency.
• Several scientific studies have documented that FerkoFer completely covers the iron requirement of the piglets with 3 distributions per litter.
• For example, in a large German study from 2015, three different iron administrations where tested against each other. It was 1 injection, 2 injections and FerkoFer. The hemoglobin level in the blood was measured at birth and once a week untill weaning.
• The trial showed FerkoFer covers the iron requirement up to weaning and that the piglets receiving 1 injection run out of iron before weaning.
• Iron is essential for the thriving and growth of the piglets. However, iron in excessive quantities at one time is toxic to the piglets. Therefore, it is important that it is absorbed as the piglets grow.

As the only iron supplement

• Dosage 10 g
• This correspond to 3 measuring cups per litter (16 piglets) spread over 3 distributions.
• FerkoFer is administered 3 times at 3-4 days interval from the piglets are 2-4 days old.
• It is easiest to do it is on a weekly batch basis, so if farrowings take place at the end of the week, 1 cup of FerkoFer is given the following Monday, Friday and subsequent Monday.
• It is not recommended to give other dry feed, peat or other dry material until a few days after the last distribution. Residues, if any, should not be removed.

As follow-up on iron injection
FerkoFer can be used as a supplement to iron injection. Administer 1-2 cups of Ferkofer when the piglets are about two weeks old.

• Dose: 10 g/piglet
• This corresponds to 3 measuring cups per litter (16 piglets) spread over three administrations.
• 1 measuring cup = 56 g
• FerkoFer is administered in a PlayFeeder trough or directly on a clean and dry surface (concrete fl oor, rough cement tile or corrugated rubber mat/plate) in the area around the piglets’ resting area, but out of the sow’s reach.

Administration inaPlayfeeder Trough

FerkoFer can be administered in a PlayFeeder trough. Traditional piglet troughs are too high. Therefore they are not suitable for newborn piglets. The PlayFeeder trough has been made especially for very small piglets. It has two positions so that the height of the edge can be adjusted according to the size of the piglets.

Position 1

• 1 measuring cup of FerkoFer = 56 g
• 2-4 days old piglets.

Position 2

• 1 measuring cup of FerkoFer = 56 g
• 6-8 days old piglets
• Remaining product must not be removed.
• Pour the new administration on top.

Position 2

• 1 measuring cup of FerkoFer = 56 g
• 8-12 days old piglets
• Remaining product must not be removed
• Pour the new administration on top.

Starter Feed
Position 2

No other feed must be given until a couple of days after the last administration. Do not remove the rest of the iron. Pour the feed on top.

Administration on floor or other surface

At minimum 50% solid floor, FerkoFer can be administered directly on the floor. At fully slatted floors, FerkoFer can be administered on another rough or corrugated surface, for example a cement tile, mat or plate. FerkoFer is administered in the area around the piglets’ resting area, but out of the reach of the sow.

• 5 kg tub
• 20 kg bag