Determination of garlic extract efficacy on growth, nutrient digestibility, and fecal score of growing pigs via diet supplementation

Garlic powder (GP) was supplemented in the diet to assess the growth efficiency, nutritional retention, and fecal score of growing pigs. In total, 80 growing pigs ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc) were arbitrarily allotted (22.04 ± 0.56 kg primary average body weight) to two different trial groups with eight repetitions (three males and two females) in each pen for the 42-day trial. The dietary treatment consisted of control (CON, basal diet), which included 0.2% GP (TRT1). Growing pigs fed the GP diet exhibited an increase (p < 0.05) in body weight on day 42 and a lower (p < 0.05) overall feed conversion ratio compared to the CON pigs; however, the average daily gain and feed intake showed no difference (p > 0.05). Additionally, nutrient utilization of dry matter was greater (p < 0.05) in the GP-supplemented diet group than in the CON group. The feeding methods did not adversely affect the nitrogen and energy utilization and the fecal score significantly (p > 0.05). In summary, growing pigs fed the GP diet showed increased growth and nutritional utilization, and no adverse impact on the fecal score; thus, it could be utilized as a stimulant for improved growth performance.