Pigs, like us, are omnivores and will eat a wide variety of foods. Also like us,
they need a balanced diet of fiber, energy, protein, vitamins and minerals to
thrive. Feed will be your largest expenditure in keeping pigs, so it pays to get
it right.
Pigs, like all animals, must have constant access to clean fresh drinking
water. As well as tipping the trough to make a wallow, pigs will also stand in
the water trough and wash their dirty faces in it, so it needs to be checked
regularly, cleaned out and refilled. Galvanized troughs are robust and easy to
clean, and not too easy for the pigs to tip over. Automatic drinkers are
available but aren’t half as much fun for the pigs.
If you are clever and have the right equipment, you can mix your own food for
your pigs, but most small-scale pig keepers use a commercial pig food. There are
many different feed producers including organic and GM free. You will pay a
premium for these, but you may be happier doing so. Make sure you have somewhere
dry and rodent free to store bags. Once opened, the food should be stored in a
rodent proof container. Any spillages should be swept up and removed
immediately. Check regularly to ensure that there is no rodent damage to bags –
if there is, deal with it immediately.
Always check the best before date on feed; while the feed value will be fine
in terms of protein, fiber and oil, the vitamin and mineral levels will decline
after it.
Feeding instructions are on the bag but these are for guidance. In cold
weather, you may need to increase feed as the pig will use up energy to keep
warm. Your best guide is the condition or level of fat cover on your pig.
Regularly check the body condition of your pigs. To do this, run your hand
along the spine; if you can feel it clearly, the pig is a bit thin; if you can
feel it with firm pressure, it’s fine; if you can’t feel it at all, the pig is
too fat.
How much to feed pigs
As a rule of thumb, you feed 1lb (450g) of food each day for each month of
age, up to a maximum of 6lbs (2.75kg) per day. Do not feed more than this - you
will waste money and end up with over-fat pigs. Only lactating sows need more
food than this. Furthermore, weigh the food. Six pounds is probably less than
you think.
As a second rule of thumb, all feed should be cleared up within 20-30 minutes
– if not, reduce the amount then increase gradually as appetite increases. On
average, taking a weaver from 8 weeks to slaughter six and a half months later
will use about 380kg of feed (19 x 20kg bags).
they need a balanced diet of fiber, energy, protein, vitamins and minerals to
thrive. Feed will be your largest expenditure in keeping pigs, so it pays to get
it right.
Pigs, like all animals, must have constant access to clean fresh drinking
water. As well as tipping the trough to make a wallow, pigs will also stand in
the water trough and wash their dirty faces in it, so it needs to be checked
regularly, cleaned out and refilled. Galvanized troughs are robust and easy to
clean, and not too easy for the pigs to tip over. Automatic drinkers are
available but aren’t half as much fun for the pigs.
If you are clever and have the right equipment, you can mix your own food for
your pigs, but most small-scale pig keepers use a commercial pig food. There are
many different feed producers including organic and GM free. You will pay a
premium for these, but you may be happier doing so. Make sure you have somewhere
dry and rodent free to store bags. Once opened, the food should be stored in a
rodent proof container. Any spillages should be swept up and removed
immediately. Check regularly to ensure that there is no rodent damage to bags –
if there is, deal with it immediately.
Always check the best before date on feed; while the feed value will be fine
in terms of protein, fiber and oil, the vitamin and mineral levels will decline
after it.
Feeding instructions are on the bag but these are for guidance. In cold
weather, you may need to increase feed as the pig will use up energy to keep
warm. Your best guide is the condition or level of fat cover on your pig.
Regularly check the body condition of your pigs. To do this, run your hand
along the spine; if you can feel it clearly, the pig is a bit thin; if you can
feel it with firm pressure, it’s fine; if you can’t feel it at all, the pig is
too fat.
How much to feed pigs
As a rule of thumb, you feed 1lb (450g) of food each day for each month of
age, up to a maximum of 6lbs (2.75kg) per day. Do not feed more than this - you
will waste money and end up with over-fat pigs. Only lactating sows need more
food than this. Furthermore, weigh the food. Six pounds is probably less than
you think.
As a second rule of thumb, all feed should be cleared up within 20-30 minutes
– if not, reduce the amount then increase gradually as appetite increases. On
average, taking a weaver from 8 weeks to slaughter six and a half months later
will use about 380kg of feed (19 x 20kg bags).