RESUMO
Abstract An experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of suckling piglets subjected to oral administration of citrus extracts (CE). Twenty sows were used with ten sucking piglets on average initial weight of 1.26 kg (± 0.32) for 21 days. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with two treatments: Negative Control (without antimicrobials) and Citrus Extracts (ascorbic acid + flavonoids, oral administration of 0.3 mg kg of BW via pigdoser) with ten repetitions each. The number of live-born piglets in females PO5 was 21% higher than in PO3 sows. Sows where piglets received CE showed a 10% higher (P <0.05) feed intake in the last week of lactation. From 8 to 21 days, the feed conversion of NC sows was 23 and 38% lower (P <0.05) than sows where piglets received CE. Piglet mortality was 13.4% in NC group and 3.9% in CE group in a single dose on the third day of life. The villous length in the duodenum was 24% higher (P <0.01) in piglets receiving CE. The administration of CE increased 19% (P = 0.02) the villous length of the ileum region of suckling piglets. Frequency of normal feces was higher (P<0.05) in piglets CE group. Oral administration of CE containing flavonoids and ascorbic acid to suckling piglets not improves the piglet growth. However, it alters the gut morphology, and reduces the frequency of diarrhea during suckling period. Parity order interferes on feed intake, feed conversion of sows and performance of litters.