Nutritional Aspects: Nutritional Aspects: Feeding PigsFeeding Pigs

SAPPO Pig Production Course SAPPO Pig Production Course 20082008

Jim RobinsonJim Robinson

FEEDING PIGSFEEDING PIGS

PRINCIPLES:• Pigs are omnivorous• Pigs are meant to eat like pigs• Pigs reward good feeding• Different pigs eat different feed and are measured

differently

For instance: Genetics, housing, health and management vary widely; so do our expectations.

FEEDING PIGSFEEDING PIGS

Feed constituents and sources:• Proteins- amino acids are required for body

building- muscle, bones, organs, skin. Sources: - animal products; fish meal,

meat & bone meal, - left overs (e.g. swill)- plants and grains-lower protein levels, short of essential aminos (lysine, methionine etc)- Oil cake- remainder of grains

after oil is extracted

FEEDING PIGSFEEDING PIGS

Energy food: - Carbohydrates, required for body functions and muscle activity;

excess energy is converted to fat

Sources:

• Grains eg, maize, wheat, barley, sorghum- digestibility varies.

• Vegetables: pumpkins,carrots etc • Oils and fats- very rich in energy

FEEDING PIGSFEEDING PIGSFibre: Vegetable residues- aid digestion and

peristalsis• Sources: bran,hominy chop, lucerne

Vitamins & minerals:• Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, trace elements.• Full range of vitamins- ADEK (fat sol)• B,C, Folic acid…….. (water sol)

Water:• Clean water essential and sometimes neglected

PIG FEEDINGPIG FEEDINGPIG RATIONSHigh performing commercial pigs get well formulated

rations • Creep• Weaner• Grower• Finisher• Lactating sow• Sow and boarThe younger the pig the greater the requirement for

complete proteins, digestible carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals

(See table on page 65)

FEEDING PIGSFEEDING PIGS

TERMS & MEASUREMENTS• ad lib- as much as they want• Balanced ration: compound feed prepared

according to a scientific formula• Digestible energy: calculated from knowledge of

feed & allows for undigested particles• FCR: Feed conversion ratio- The total kilograms of

feed required to produce 1 kg of meat.• Herd FCR: Total feed to the whole herd to produce

1 kg of meat.• Note: “Feed to gain” (USA) or “live mass FCR” refer

to live pigs not meat

FEEDING PIGSFEEDING PIGSHOW MUCH AND WHEN

Times per day In commercial herds with balanced rations

2 Sows (dry ie pregnant) & boars – 2kg/day vary by conditions and season

3 or 4 Lactating sows: 2-3 kg/day for 2 days then “ad lib” – 2kg + 0.4 kg per suckler as minimum

2 X 20 minutes Sucklers: Mother’s milk then creep ration for last 10 days before weaning

“Ad lib” Weaners – 250g/day for 2 days, then “ad lib”

“Ad lib” Growers – “ad lib” (70% of all feed used here)

“Ad lib” All pigs, water of good quality

FEEDING PIGSFEEDING PIGS

NON COMMERCIAL PIGSEither:• Mix your own from tables and own sourcesOr:• Use balanced rations for young pigs esp creep

and weaner and cheaper feeds for growers and adults.

• Lactating sows need a balanced rationOr:• Feed “swill” of good quality

FEEDING PIGSFEEDING PIGSSWILLBad term because it has a bad reputationRather: “Food by-products” e.g:• Stale bread, cooked meal from industry canteens• Dated animal cubes (Horse, dog…)• Reject of access vegetables• Spoilt milk, whey, brewery grain….

Bad swill is dangerous and unwholesome!• Restaurant and hospital kitchen waste• Any feed containing meat of any animal• Rotten vegetables• Stinking water

FEEDING PIGSFEEDING PIGS

NB: NOTHING that comes from harbours or airports

may be fed!Law requires all swill containing raw animal

product to be boiled for 30 minutes