The study examines the effect of feed additives (an acidifier and a phytobiotic) on the productivity and health status of young piglets. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of these additives in increasing average daily gain, improving feed conversion, and reducing the incidence of diarrhea. Three groups of animals were formed: a control group receiving a basal diet, and two experimental groups supplemented with an acidifier and a phytobiotic, respectively. Observations were conducted during the age periods of 22–28 and 29–35 days, corresponding to one week before and one week after weaning. At 22–28 days of age, the average daily gain (ADG) was 254 g in the control group, 305 g in the acidifier group, and 320 g in the phytobiotic group. During the 29–35 day period (post-weaning), ADG increased to 274 g, 326 g, and 369 g, respectively. Feed intake in the experimental groups exceeded that of the control group by 18–27 g at 22–28 days and by 67–69 g at 29–35 days. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was 1.51 in the control group, 1.48 in the acidifier group, and 1.30 in the phytobiotic group. The most pronounced differences were observed in the incidence of diarrhea, which reached 37.5 % in the control group, while decreasing to 10.1 % in the acidifier group and 8.3 % in the phytobiotic group. Thus, the results confirmed that dietary supplementation with an acidifier and a phytobiotic improves growth performance, increases feed intake, enhances feed efficiency, and reduces diarrhea incidence. The most pronounced effect was observed in the phytobiotic group, where ADG increased by 67–95 g, FCR decreased by 0.09–0.21, and diarrhea incidence was reduced by approximately 30 % compared with the control group. These findings highlight the promising potential of phytobiotics as an effective tool for improving productivity and maintaining pig health during the early post-weaning period.

Keywords: suckling piglets, weaning, acidifier, phytobiotic, average daily gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, diarrhea.