A new insoluble fiber called ValoproWin successfully made young pigs’ poop firmer and drier within 10 days, according to research reviewed by Gram Research analysis of three experiments involving 995 piglets. The fiber increased fecal dry matter by day 10 across all experiments, but did not affect how fast pigs grew or how efficiently they converted feed to body weight, making it useful for digestive management without growth penalties.
Researchers tested a new type of fiber called ValoproWin in young pigs’ feed to see if it would help them grow better and have healthier digestion. The study involved nearly 1,000 piglets across three separate experiments, testing different amounts of the fiber and different ways of mixing it into feed. According to Gram Research analysis, the fiber successfully made pigs’ poop firmer and drier, which is good for digestive health, but it didn’t help the piglets grow any faster or bigger. The findings suggest this fiber could be useful for managing digestive issues in young pigs without hurting their growth.
Key Statistics
A 2026 research article testing ValoproWin in 995 nursery pigs across three experiments found that the insoluble fiber significantly increased fecal dry matter by day 10, with effects consistent across 2.5% to 5% inclusion levels and different formulation strategies.
In a 2026 study of 360 weanling pigs, increasing ValoproWin levels from 0% to 5% showed a linear increase in fecal dry matter (P < 0.001), demonstrating dose-dependent improvements in poop consistency without affecting overall growth performance.
Across three 2026 experiments totaling 995 pigs, ValoproWin increased fecal dry matter at day 10 (P = 0.019 in Experiment 1), but showed no significant effects on average daily gain or feed efficiency across all dietary strategies tested.
A 2026 multi-experiment analysis of 335 nursery pigs found that 5% ValoproWin inclusion tended to decrease gain-to-feed ratio compared to 2.5% (P = 0.057), suggesting very high fiber levels may have minor effects on feed efficiency.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a new insoluble fiber product called ValoproWin could improve how fast young pigs grow and make their poop firmer and healthier
- Who participated: Nearly 1,000 young piglets (called nursery pigs) that had just been weaned from their mothers, divided into three separate experiments with different fiber amounts and feeding strategies
- Key finding: The fiber made pigs’ poop significantly drier and firmer, especially by day 10, but didn’t change how fast the pigs grew or how efficiently they converted food to body weight
- What it means for you: If you raise pigs, this fiber could help manage digestive health and poop consistency without worrying about slowing down growth—though more research on long-term benefits would be helpful
The Research Details
Scientists conducted three separate experiments with young pigs to test a new fiber product called ValoproWin. In the first experiment, 300 piglets received different amounts of the fiber mixed into their feed for different lengths of time (either 10 days or 24 days) to see which approach worked best. In the second experiment, 360 piglets ate feed with five different levels of fiber (ranging from none to 5%) to find the best amount. In the third experiment, 335 piglets tested two different ways of adding the fiber to feed—either by diluting other nutrients or by adjusting the recipe—to see which method worked better.
All piglets were fed the experimental diets for about the first month after weaning (from 21 days old to about 45 days old), then switched to regular feed. The researchers measured how much the pigs grew, how much they ate, and how firm their poop was at different time points during the study.
This approach allowed the researchers to test the fiber under many different conditions and amounts, making the results more reliable and applicable to real-world pig farming situations.
Testing the same fiber product across three separate experiments with different strategies is important because it shows whether the results are consistent and reliable. By testing different amounts and different ways of adding the fiber, researchers could figure out the best practical approach for farmers. Measuring both growth performance and poop consistency is important because farmers care about both—they want pigs to grow well, but they also want to manage digestive health.
The study included nearly 1,000 pigs total across three experiments, which is a large number that makes the results more trustworthy. The researchers used careful experimental designs with control groups (pigs that didn’t get the fiber) to compare against. However, the study only followed pigs for about one month after weaning, so we don’t know if the effects would continue as pigs get older. The study was published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, meaning other experts reviewed it before publication.
What the Results Show
Across all three experiments, the new fiber (ValoproWin) consistently made pigs’ poop firmer and drier. In the first experiment, pigs eating the fiber had noticeably drier poop by day 10 compared to pigs eating regular feed. In the second experiment, as researchers increased the amount of fiber in the feed, pigs’ poop got progressively firmer and drier. In the third experiment, both the 2.5% and 5% fiber levels increased poop dryness, with the effect being strongest by day 10 after starting the fiber.
The most important finding is that this fiber worked reliably across all three experiments and all different testing conditions. Whether researchers added the fiber for just 10 days or 24 days, whether they used 1.75% or 5% in the feed, and whether they diluted other nutrients or adjusted the recipe—the fiber consistently made poop drier. This consistency suggests the effect is real and predictable.
Regarding growth performance, the results were less clear-cut. In the first experiment, the length of time pigs ate the fiber (10 days versus 24 days) didn’t affect how much they grew. In the second experiment, increasing the fiber amount showed a slight trend toward slower growth, but this wasn’t statistically significant. In the third experiment, pigs eating the highest fiber level (5%) showed a slight trend toward less efficient food conversion, but again, this wasn’t a strong effect. Overall, the fiber didn’t meaningfully slow down pig growth across the experiments, though there were hints that very high levels might have minor effects.
This research adds to existing knowledge about fiber in pig diets. Previous studies have shown that fiber can affect digestive health and poop consistency, but this is one of the first studies to test this specific fiber product (ValoproWin) in young pigs. The finding that fiber improves poop consistency without hurting growth aligns with what researchers have found with other fiber sources, suggesting this is a reliable effect. The study helps farmers understand that they can use this fiber for digestive management without sacrificing growth performance.
The study only followed pigs for about one month after weaning, so we don’t know if the effects continue as pigs grow older. The researchers didn’t measure other digestive health markers like inflammation or gut bacteria, so we only know about poop consistency. In some experiments, nutrients were diluted when fiber was added (meaning pigs got slightly less protein, energy, and minerals), which could have affected growth—though the researchers tried to separate this effect in the third experiment. The study was conducted in controlled research settings, so results might differ slightly on actual farms with different conditions.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, farmers can confidently use ValoproWin at levels between 2.5% and 5% of pig feed during the first month after weaning to improve digestive health and poop consistency without worrying about slowing growth. The evidence is strong (based on nearly 1,000 pigs across three experiments) that the fiber works reliably. However, if growth performance is the primary goal, the fiber provides no advantage—it’s mainly useful for managing digestive issues. Farmers should consider their specific needs: if digestive health is important, use the fiber; if maximum growth is the only goal, it won’t help.
Pig farmers and producers should care about this research, especially those dealing with digestive issues or loose poop in young pigs. Veterinarians working with pig farms might recommend this fiber as a management tool. Feed manufacturers could use this information to develop new products. However, if your pigs are already healthy with normal poop consistency and you’re focused only on growth speed, this fiber won’t provide additional benefits.
The effects on poop consistency appeared quickly—by day 10 of feeding the fiber, pigs had noticeably firmer poop. This suggests farmers would see benefits within about 1-2 weeks of adding the fiber to feed. The study didn’t measure long-term effects beyond one month, so it’s unclear if the benefits continue indefinitely or if pigs’ digestive systems adapt over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does adding fiber to pig feed make their poop firmer?
Yes, research shows ValoproWin fiber significantly increased fecal dry matter in young pigs by day 10, making poop noticeably firmer and drier. This effect was consistent across multiple experiments and fiber levels (2.5% to 5%), making it a reliable tool for managing digestive health.
Will fiber slow down how fast my pigs grow?
No, the 2026 research found that ValoproWin did not affect overall growth performance across nearly 1,000 pigs tested at various fiber levels. Pigs grew at similar rates whether they received the fiber or not, so digestive management doesn’t require sacrificing growth.
What’s the best amount of this fiber to add to pig feed?
Research tested levels from 2.5% to 5% and found all levels effectively increased poop dryness by day 10. The 2.5% level worked well without extra cost, though 5% provided similar digestive benefits—choose based on your budget and specific digestive health needs.
How quickly does the fiber work in young pigs?
The fiber showed measurable effects on poop consistency within 10 days of feeding, making it a relatively fast intervention for digestive issues. Farmers could expect to see improvements in poop firmness within 1-2 weeks of adding ValoproWin to feed.
Does it matter how I mix the fiber into pig feed?
No, research comparing two formulation methods (diluted versus adjusted) found that both approaches produced similar increases in fecal dry matter. The fiber worked consistently regardless of how it was incorporated into the feed recipe.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily poop consistency scores (using a 1-5 scale: 1=very loose, 5=very firm) for each group of pigs, recording measurements at days 3, 7, 10, 14, and 21 after introducing the fiber to identify when improvements appear and how consistent they are
- If managing pig digestive health, implement a 2-week trial period adding ValoproWin at 2.5% to your feed mix, then measure and log poop consistency daily using a simple scoring system to objectively track whether the fiber is working for your specific herd
- Create a simple spreadsheet tracking poop consistency scores, feed costs, and growth rates weekly for pigs on the fiber versus control pigs, allowing you to compare digestive benefits against any potential cost or performance trade-offs over a 4-6 week period
This research summary is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional veterinary or nutritional advice. The study was conducted in controlled research settings with specific pig breeds and conditions that may differ from your farm. Before making changes to your pig feed, consult with a veterinarian or swine nutritionist familiar with your operation. Individual results may vary based on pig genetics, farm conditions, water quality, and management practices. This fiber is intended as a digestive health management tool, not a treatment for serious digestive diseases, which require veterinary diagnosis and care.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.