Castlereagh’s Top 5 Pig Feeding Tips

Castlereagh’s Top 5 Pig Feeding Tips

If you have experience feeding pigs then you know that it’s no easy job, especially if you’re keeping your pigs for profit. Though the work can be challenging, it can be simplified. In this article, we’re providing you with some pig feeding tips to help ensure your pigs are happy and healthy.

#1 – Set a goal weight for your pigs

The fat content of a pig is what determines its price. So, if you’re keeping your pigs for profit then you should know what weight you would like your pig to be when you sell it. You also need to be wary of what you’re feeding your pig, as its fat levels i.e. the thickness of the fat covering the meat is affected by what you feed your pig with, as well as how much you feed your pig.

#2 – Avoid leftovers

If you’re dependent on feeds then don’t give your pigs leftovers. You might not think it, but there are things that pigs don’t like eating and leftovers fall into that category. Leftovers actually ruin their appetites. In saying that, be aware of how much feed you’re giving to your pigs and also make sure that you pay attention to what they’re reacting to positively. Ultimately, you want to seek expert advice when it comes to the type and quantity of feed your using.

#3 – Choose the right feed

Thankfully, options are limited, so choosing the right pig feed isn’t too hard. One thing that you want to keep in mind though, is that like humans, pigs get bored when there’s no variety in their food. Who would have guessed?!

In any case, feed protein levels should vary based on your pigs age. Generally speaking, 8-week old piglets should be given feed with 17-18% protein, and older pigs should have less protein in their feed – approximately 15%.

If you want your pigs to breed and give birth to many piglets then there are a few things that can help. Meat scraps and tankage are both great protein sources. Also, try soybean oil meal.

When you feed your pigs grains, about 50% of those should be yellow corn. That means barley, sorghum and wheat. Keep in mind that yellow and white sorghum is better than red. Also, avoid bird-proof sorghums due to their reduced palatability.

#4 – Clean all leftovers

We mentioned that pigs don’t like leftovers, and we weren’t kidding. With that sad, you should clean the leftovers your pigs leave behind once they’re finished with eating. Ultimately, pigs won’t eat everything that’s given to them, and any food that’s left behind will become dirty and attract bacteria. To avoid potential health problems, make sure you regularly clean up after your pigs when they finish eating.

#5 – Choose the right pig feeder

If you want to achieve pig feeding efficiency then the right pig feeder. There are three main types of pig feeders you can choose from. The first is an automatic cylindric pig feeder, which is most commonly used to fatten pigs. Secondly, you can use a dry-wet pig feeder, which is great if you use powder and pellet feed stuffs. Finally, feed troughs are great for sows (mother pigs), piglets, as well as fattening pigs.