Evaluation of oral iron galactan as a method of iron supplementation for intensively housed sucking piglets.

Iron supplementation of piglets with oral galactan given as a single dose within 24 hours of birth was evaluated in a series of on farm trials. The growth rate of piglets receiving this treatment was faster than that of piglets receiving single injections of iron dextran or iron galactan at 3 days of age, or ferrous sulphate crystals orally at weekly intervals. Mean values for red cell parameters of oral iron galactan supplemented piglets at 2 to 4 weeks of age were lower than those of injected piglets but there was no clinical evidence of anaemia in any of the piglets.