From windows of threat to windows of opportunity: Housing management and nutritional interventions in early life to improve pig health by shaping the gut microbiota, immune status and welfare

In modern pig farming, piglets experience stress during weaning transition due to new environments, separation and diet changes, which can disrupt their gut health and growth. Farmers often use antibiotics to maintain herd health during this period. My PhD research explored two strategies to improve pig health and resilience around weaning. The first study explored housing modification through providing piglets more space and natural materials to express their natural behaviours, which improved their welfare, immune function and gut microbiota development. The second study showed that supplementing piglets with a potential postbiotic based on the edible and medicinal mushroom Agaricus subrufescens after birth positively shaped their gut microbiota and immune system development. We also used fractionation combined with cell-based models to identify bioactive components in the supplement that enhance immune responses. My research highlights that timely interventions through enriched housing and functional nutrition based on this mushroom after birth can promote healthier, more resilient pigs and consequently reduce reliance on antibiotics.