The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: hot hog on March 21, 2010, 08:58:33 pm

Title: Feeding weaners
Post by: hot hog on March 21, 2010, 08:58:33 pm
I have been told i can feed weaner piglets sow nuts when the piglets get to around 10 weeks, this would bring the piglets on at a slower rate but so they will lay down less  fat. is this true? thanks im new to all of this
Title: Re: Feeding weaners
Post by: gavo on March 21, 2010, 09:03:02 pm
Much depends on the breed; and how much you feed; an excess of any propriety feed will cause laying down of fat.
Title: Re: Feeding weaners
Post by: dixie on March 22, 2010, 12:42:31 pm
I always feed sow pellets to all my pigs/weaners so long as you stick to the given amounts and not overfeed, you will get more fat on a traditional breed but that only adds to the flavour and makes fantastic crackling!
Title: Re: Feeding weaners
Post by: Hilarysmum on March 23, 2010, 07:27:19 am
We feed sow nuts right through, they start to nibble mum's when they are around 2 weeks old.  Once weaned they are continued on sow nuts through to slaughter.  Basically its cheaper, and have never found any advantage to feeding weaner pellets.
Title: Re: Feeding weaners
Post by: Helencus on March 23, 2010, 07:55:46 am
I feed mine growers pellets but I'm not fattening them I plan to breed from them later in the year. I get my feed from countrywide stores and they sell breeder pellets as well are these sow nuts then? They're the same price there.
Title: Re: Feeding weaners
Post by: Hilarysmum on March 23, 2010, 09:01:00 am
Here, which may be different, weaner pellets (not the stuff they feed to the 3 week olds destined for indoor rearing) are 20% protein ; sow pellets 16%. 
Title: Re: Feeding weaners
Post by: dixie on March 23, 2010, 03:53:03 pm
Growers pellets have a higher protein content, some say they grow better if fed higher protein early on others say higher protein near the end, I dont do either and have always been happy with the end product.