PIG FEEDING STAGES FOR FASTER GROWTH RATE.

March 16, 2024

Pig feeding is the most crucial factor when it comes to the success of your piggery. Grasping the right knowledge on pig feed formulation and feeding at each pig growth phase is the key to the successful management of your piggery. Studies have shown that pigs consume large amounts of food faster than all other domesticated animals. In order to be a successful pig farmer, you need to raise and maintain a healthy flock the same time maximize the growth and reproduction of your flock. Finally, you will have to increase your production as your ultimate goal. In order to achieve this it is necessary to feed your pigs with the right feed formulation forming weaning to the finisher.

Piglets feeding.

Feeding piglets after weaning is a critical period you need to master in pig production. In fact, this phase requires careful attention to ensure the optimal growth of your piglets. Reasonable nutrition during this phase is essential for healthy growth and overall productivity of your young once. After weaning, piglets switch from colostrum to solid food. Therefore, it is essential to provide a balanced diet that meets the nutritional requirements of the piglets.

Creep feeding and Starter feeds.

Farmer should gradually introduce piglets to starter feeds which are specially formulated for their unique digestion systems and growing stages. These foods should contain high-quality protein, essential vitamins and minerals, and digestible carbohydrates to support healthy growth and immunity. In addition, it is important to always have easy access to clean drinking water. This prevents dehydration and promotes optimal digestion of your piglets

Creep feeding in Pig feeding.

Farmers use creep feeds which are specially formulated solid feed for the unique digestion system of piglets. Add the creep food in a separate area from the sow feeds to allow the piglets to access these feeds without competition from the sows. Creep-feeding your piglets should start when the pigs are two weeks old. This helps your piglets to effectively shift from a milk-based diet to solid feeds. Creep feed contains about 20% crude protein. At three weeks, change your piglet diet from creeps to starter feeds which contain about 18% crude protein. Feed them starter until they reach weaning age at an average weight of 15 to 20 kg. Generally speaking, with good management, every piglet consumes about 10 kg of these feeds before reaching the age of eight weeks.

Weaners and growers in Pig feeding.

Feeding growers to pigs is a crucial stage in the development of your flock. This phase requires proper timing and attention to ensure their optimal growth and health. As a professional recommendation, it is advisable to start feeding growers to your pigs when they reach around 18 to 22 kg in weight, typically around 8 to 10 weeks of age. At this stage, pigs are transitioning from the starter phase to the grower phase. This is where their nutritional needs change to support their increasing size and muscle development. Thus, providing a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and minerals is essential. This is to promote healthy growth and overall well-being in your pigs during this critical stage of their development.

Finisher.

Farmers should introduce finisher feed to pigs when they have reached a specific weight and are close to their target market weight. This usually happens when pigs weigh between 50 and 100 kilograms, depending on the breed, genetics, and intended market specifications. It is essential to closely monitor the pigs’ growth and consult a nutritionist or veterinarian to decide when it is the right time to transition to finisher feed.

Introducing finisher feed too early can result in inefficient feed conversion and excessive fat deposition, which increases production costs. On the other hand, starting too late can lead to missed growth opportunities and suboptimal carcass quality. Producers can ensure that they are initiating finisher feed at the right time to maximize performance and profitability by following a well-defined feeding plan and regularly assessing the condition and growth of the pigs.

Feeding boar.

A breeding boar requires 2.5 to 3.2 kg of feed per day depending on the age, body companion, and breeding demand. The feeding ration should be adjusted in a way that the pigs are neither too fat nor too skinny. The ration however as a rule of thumb should the feeds should be adjusted depending on the current climatic conditions and boar physical exercise.

Feeding gestating sows.

The feeding program and nutrition start to vary once your female pig is bred. The feeding program should henceforth be based on sow body composition. As a matter of fact, closely monitor body fat contents as it is detrimental to the subsequent reproductive cycle. Therefore, gestating sows require a special diet in order to control weight gain and at the same time provide all essential nutrients to support fetal development.

Farmer should limit their gestating sow’s feed consumption to 2 to 2.5 kg of feed per day in order to maximize weight gain. A sow in her first gestation period, should be fed 2.5 to 3kg of feed to compensate for their physical protein growth needs.

Older sows have higher maintenance requirements along with a lower body fat content. This calls for higher feed intake in order for them to maintain their weak body.

Feeding lactating pig.

During this stage, the sow requires adequate feeding in order to maximize the milk production for the piglets. Ensure you feed your sow with quality feeds in order to boost their deteriorating body condition due to heavy piglets suckling. At this phase, a sow can feed 6 to 9 kg of feed per day or an equivalent amount to 25% of her body weight. Farmers will divide feeding into three phases, in the morning, noon, and evening. As it happens to all other animals, sows should have access to adequate and clean water all the time.

To avoid excessive body weight loss which can lead to extended weaning to estrus intervals and smaller litter size, farmers should increase nutrient concentration and feed intake for the gestating sows. This will enable the sow to provide enough milk for the piglet without undergoing body weight loss.

Weaning to Rebreeding.

Getting the sow back to normal after lactation is a crucial aspect that all pig farmers should learn to practice. This is because it determines the wean to estrous cycle. During weaning, feed consumption reduces drastically as milk production stops. This causes the mammary gland to dehydrate. Poorly managed sow during the lactation period will have a longer weaning to rebreeding interval. At this phase, a sow will consume about 2 to 2.5 kg of feed per day.

In conclusion, pigs are sent to slaughter at about 6 months of age, weighing 80 to 100 kg live weight. This represents the most common reason for leaving the herd. Farmers cull sows and boars from the herd due to old age, reproductive failure, poor performance (small litter size, high preweaning mortality, and low birth weight), illness, or injury. About one in five, to one in four, breeding-age females are culled or die every year. Those that are culled are usually sold to livestock auctions or sent directly to slaughter.