FOCUS ON ZENPIG

Zenpig: a new generation of stress prevention

Phytotherapy to relieve porcine stress In September 2006 Sogeval launched Zenpig*, a product based on plant extracts intended to reduce behavioural problems due to stress in pig farms. Zenpig includes extracts from two plants: hops (Humulus lupulus), recognised as a light sedative, and valerian (Valeriana officinalis), a tranquilizer and light sedative for the central nervous system and the neurovegetative system. Zenpig is delivered as a powder to be mixed with feed, during periods when the stock has behavioural symptoms (see the table).
Usage: as soon as cannibalism appears A group of pig farmers participated in tests to validate the product and were able to appreciate its benefits. At one farrowing and finishing farm managing 300 sows in Brittany, cannibalism began to appear between 35 and 60 kilos during fattening. By distributing Zenpig in the feed (15g/pig) in the morning for 3 to 4 days, the animals were calmed within one to two hours. The breeder noted that the proportion of animals with serious bites fell from 15% to 5% due to the treatment.
Validation in the field, by breeders With another breeder in southern France, fights during weaning caused wounds that led to exudative epidermitis. After adding Zenpig® to the feed (5 to 10 g/day for 5 days), no lesions were apparent in any of the test groups. On another farm, Zenpig was used successfully to calm the animals during re-assignment following the first departure for the slaughterhouse. The product's key advantage for these breeders is its effectiveness as soon as behavioural problems appear: there is no need to use it on a preventive basis. This limits the cost of the treatment and makes it an effective complement to careful observation of the animals.

*Zenpig fait parti des produits de la société Santel, qui sont intégrés dans l’offre produits Sogeval depuis le 1er septembre 2006.