Lecithin in rearing and feeding livestock and pets

by Alexander Fismer November 11, 2022

Lecithin has become an integral part of pet food. The special properties promote the health of the animals and increase the profitability of agricultural animal husbandry. Optimized feed conversion results in faster and stronger growth with improved meat quality and animal health, which is characterized by higher resistance to infections and other diseases and a lower mortality rate.

Lecithin in pet food stands for, among other things

improved digestibility of fat
and thus an increase in growth and weight
reducing indigestion
a strengthening of the immune system
an improvement in metabolism

But lecithin does not only play a major role in livestock farming. Lecithin is also an important component in feed for pets - from dogs to cats and small animals to ornamental birds - where it ensures, among other things, good digestibility and usability, an animal-friendly texture and a robust immune system.

Lecithin as part of the feed shows positive effects in a wide variety of animal species:

pigs

Whether piglets, breeding sows or fattening pigs - the many positive properties of feed that has been upgraded with lecithin are good for husbandry and profitability. For example, lecithin acts as a source of choline and can significantly reduce indigestion.

PIGLET REARING

improves feed conversion
reduces indigestion
increases body weight gain
strengthens vitality
Reduces stress after changing the diet or location
reduces the mortality rate
increases protection against infection

BREEDING SOWS

stabilizes health and willingness to perform
saves feed due to better feed conversion
increases litter size
increases the birth and weaning weight of the piglets
increases the number of piglets weaned
reduces idle time
increases the contribution margin per sow

FINISHERS

increases body weight gain
improves feed conversion
increases carcass and meat quality
reduces absenteeism from illness or death
increases the contribution margin per pig

calves

Lecithin also plays an important role in calf rearing and fattening:

reduces indigestion
increases feed intake
increases body weight gain
increases the digestibility of nutrients
increases the intake of nutrients and energy
promotes resistance to diseases and infections
increases vitality
strengthens the constitution and condition

chick

Lecithin is also an important factor in chick rearing:

improves feed conversion
increases body weight gain
reduces absenteeism from illness or death
favors the carcass texture
improves nutrient digestibility

laying hens

Layers produce more efficiently:

improves nutrient digestibility
reduces the amount of feed required per egg
reduces absenteeism from illness or death
prevents fatty liver syndrome
stabilizes the laying curve

Turkeys, other poultry and birds in general

Birds benefit from adding lecithin to their feed in a number of ways:

improves nutrient digestibility
improves growth rate and feed conversion
reduces absenteeism from illness or death
activates the metabolism
strengthens convalescence

Rabbits

Lecithin can also be added to the feed of small animals such as rabbits, hares and chinchillas:

increases feed intake
increases the digestibility of nutrients
intensifies the metabolism
increases body weight gain
ensures a dense, full and supple coat of hair
strengthens the constitution and condition
increases fertility in breeding

horses

In sports and racing horses and their foals, lecithin strengthens the immune system and improves the metabolism, among other things:

improves the absorption and conversion of energy
shortens the recovery phase after muscular exertion
reduces the stress syndrome
increases vitality, condition and constitution
ensures a smooth and shiny coat
stimulates the metabolism

fish (aquaculture)

Fish farming can also benefit in many ways from lecithin in the feed mix or as an additive in fat:

improves growth rate and feed conversion
promotes the development of the fingerstalls
reduces losses
strengthens fertility
intensifies liver metabolism
increases the rearing rate of young fish

Shrimp, crayfish and other crustaceans (aquaculture)

The rearing of many animal species that are commercially available as seafood is favored by the addition of lecithin:

stable metabolic processes
improved nutrient absorption
better feed conversion and greater weight gain
reduced failure rate

dogs and cats

Lecithin not only plays an important role in livestock farming. Lecithin is also an important component in feed for pets - from dogs to cats and small animals to ornamental birds - where it ensures, among other things, good digestibility and usability, an animal-friendly texture and a robust immune system:

strengthens health, well-being and vitality
shortens the regeneration time after physical exertion
improves the skin
ensures a dense, shiny and supple coat
strengthens protection against infection

zoo animals

Of course, the quality of the feed also plays an important role for zoo animals. As with domestic and farm animals, lecithin can bring about a whole range of improvements:

strengthens health, well-being and vitality
improves nutrient digestibility
improves growth rate and feed conversion
ensures dense, shiny and supple fur or a fine plumage
strengthens protection against infection