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May 9, 2026

Effects of a Proprietary Copper-clay Compound and Tribasic Copper Chloride on Growth Performance, and Distal Gut Microbial Populations in Growing-finishing Pigs (25 to 133 kg BW)

DJDaniel B JonesArcher Daniels Midland (United States)SCSébastien ConstantinArcher Daniels Midland (United States)ESEthan StephensonVan Drunen Farms (United States)

Key Points

The study aims to compare the effects of a proprietary copper-clay compound and tribasic copper chloride on growth performance and gut health in growing-finishing pigs.
A total of 2,368 pigs were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments across two barns.
Growth and feed intake metrics were recorded to calculate average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and gain-to-feed ratio.
Data were analyzed using mixed-model procedures with appropriate statistical tests.
No statistical differences were observed for overall average daily gain and average daily feed intake (P = 0.66 and 0.37, respectively).
The copper-clay treatments improved gain-to-feed ratio compared to the negative control (P < 0.05).
Both copper-clay treatments resulted in higher end weights and hot carcass weights compared to the negative control (P < 0.05).

Abstract

Abstract Copper supplementation at pharmacological levels (100–250 ppm) has been shown to enhance growth rate and feed efficiency in nursery and growing-finishing pigs. This study evaluated the efficacy of a proprietary copper-clay compound (CC) compared to tribasic copper chloride (TBCC) in growing-finishing pigs, focusing on growth metrics, carcass characteristics, and fecal microbial populations. A total of 2,368 pigs (DNA Line 600 × DNA Line 241) with initial BW of 25±2 kg were randomly assigned to 74 pens (32 pigs per pen, balanced by sex) across two barns. Pigs were fed five dietary phases from 25 to 133 kg BW. Pens were allocated to one of four treatments: Negative Control (NC), TBCC (NC + 150, 135 or,125 ppm Cu from TBCC), CC200 (NC + 200 ppm of CC), and CC100 (NC + 200 ppm of CC for phases 1–2, then 100 ppm for phases 3–5). Body weight and feed intake were recorded at the start and end of each phase to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F). Hot carcass weight (HCW) and yield (YLD) were measured at slaughter. Data were analyzed using Mixed-Model procedures with LS means and Student’s T tests (JMP Pro 19). Pen was the experimental unit with barn used as random effect and treatment as a fixed effect. While no statistical differences were observed for overall ADG, with values ranging from 1.04 to 1.06 kg/day, or ADFI with values ranging from 2.88 to 2.97 kg/day (P = 0.66 and 0.37 respectively), both CC200 and CC100 had an improved overall G:F over the NC (0.361, 0.364 and 0.353 respectively) (P 0.05). TBCC also improved G:F compared to NC (0.364 and 0.353 respectively) (P 0.05). Furthermore, both CC200 and CC100 treatments resulted in significantly higher end weights (133.7 and 133.7, kg respectively) and HCW (101.3 and 100.7, kg respectively) compared to NC or TBCC end weights (132.5 and 132.4, kg respectively) (P 0.05) and HCW (99.8 and 99.8, kg respectively) (P 0.05). These findings suggest that the proprietary copper-clay compound, particularly at 200 ppm, is a promising alternative to TBCC for improving carcass weight and feed conversion.

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