Pig feeding

Pigs easily adapt to different types of feeding and digest feeds well, transforming them into meat of high biological value. These positive qualities are manifested in pigs to the greatest extent under the condition of full feeding and good care.

The pig is an omnivore that can eat plant and animal food. In feeding pigs, a variety of feeds are used, including various agricultural waste. Despite the fact that these animals can eat food in any form, it is better for them to feed them after preliminary processing: grinding, steaming, boiling, etc.

The intensity of growth, precocity, fertility and phylogenetic conditions for the development of the species in the domesticated state determined the need for pigs in nutrients, vitamins and mineral feed.

They need easily digestible, rich in essential amino acids protein, fat and carbohydrates. From the correct feeding of the queens before mating, during pregnancy and feeding offspring, their viability, growth and development of the offspring largely depend.
Depletion or severe obesity of queens and boars before coating and during pregnancy adversely affect their reproductive functions, so the fatness of animals should be closely monitored.

A single uterus, prepared for mating, must be provided with a sufficient amount of a variety of nutrients. The main condition for the correct feeding of pigs intended for reproduction is the usefulness of diets and the provision of animals with high-quality feed. In terms of the amount of nutrients and the set of feeds, their diets can be equated to the norms and diets of the queens in the first half of pregnancy.

Approximate daily rations for single and pregnant sows, kg.

Note: the first figure for single sows and in the first half of pregnancy.

For sows preparing for mating, it is of great importance to provide them with complete protein, minerals and essential vitamins, primarily provitamin A – carotene.

In pregnant sows, the work of internal organs increases in connection with the development of the fetus. During this period, metabolism and the use of nutrients are increased compared to single uterus. With the course of pregnancy, the need of sows for a complete protein, calcium, phosphorus and carotene increases. If the feeding is insufficient, the fertility of sows and the viability of the offspring are reduced.
Nutrient requirements of sows depend on age, live weight, gestation period. 

Feeding norms for young sows under the age of 2 years in terms of total nutrition, digestible protein, minerals and vitamins are higher than the feeding norms for adult sows.

Depending on the zonal characteristics and the availability of feed on the farm, the diet of sows preparing for mating and pregnant sows may be different, but it must contain the amount of nutrients specified in the norms.

To ensure sufficient nutrition, the diet should include corn, sugar beets, peas and other highly nutritious feeds. However, for breeding animals, feed containing a sufficient amount of complete protein (peas, beans, lupins) is of particular importance.
They are highly digestible and promote high protein utilization. Good protein supplements are fodder yeast, fish and meat and bone meal, reverse, which are introduced into the diet of sows in the amount of 3-5%. The need for carotene can be met by including green mass silage, especially legumes, or combined silage, carrots, vitamin haymeal, and green grass or pasta from it in the diet of pigs.

The main requirements for the diets of sows during the period of feeding piglets by them are their usefulness and good taste. Diets should be nutritious, consist of a variety of easily digestible feed.

Sample rations for lactating sows weighing 120 – 300 kg. with 10 piglets, per head per day

Sample rations for lactating sows weighing 120 - 300 kg. with 10 piglets, per head per day

For growing large piglets, sows are given a sufficient amount of concentrated feed (3,5 – 6,5 kg per day). Sows with six or more piglets are fed ad libitum. During this period, they need to be fed only boiled potatoes, while carrots and beets are given only raw, but chopped. Hay and grass are given in kind.

Concentrated feed is given in the form of mushy mashes with the addition of hay or grass flour, minerals and premixes.

From about a week of age, suckling piglets are given roasted barley or peas, cow’s milk, grass, greens and other feeds as top dressing. By 23 weeks of age, suckling piglets are already consuming an additional large amount of feed, as the milk production of the sow is reduced by this time. Young piglets are very fond of sweets, so they should be given up to 10% sugar. In the summer, the feed indicated in the table is reduced by one third, replacing them with pasture.

The need of boars for nutrients depends on the live weight, age, physiological state. In preparation and during the mating season, especially when they are used to inseminate more than one sow, boars require an increased amount of nutrients, in particular digestible protein, minerals and vitamins.

Approximate rations for boars, kg.

Approximate rations for boars, kg.

Feeding boars greatly affects their reproductive ability. In winter, the diets of boars should consist of concentrates, feeds of sufficient nutritional value (corn, oats, barley), as well as feeds rich in complete protein (peas, yeast, cake and other feeds).

In summer, they need to be given plenty of green fodder from legumes. When kept on good pasture, concentrates should be fed additionally.

To provide vitamin D, boars should be systematically released for a walk. A good source of this vitamin is irradiated fodder yeast. In the summer they should be given more green food, but when kept on a good pasture, concentrates should be fed additionally.

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Anna Evans

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