The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: powispigs on September 09, 2010, 11:35:35 am

Title: Rolled Barley
Post by: powispigs on September 09, 2010, 11:35:35 am

Quick question....we have just been given some barley that we will roll to give to our outdoor pigs.  Does any one know of any problems with this? They will still be getting some nuts and fruit/veg, I am sure it will be fine but just wanted to check!  :wave:

Title: Re: Rolled Barley
Post by: Hilarysmum on September 09, 2010, 11:41:08 am

I dont really feed straights, but if its rolled it should be fine. 

Title: Re: Rolled Barley
Post by: powispigs on September 09, 2010, 11:42:41 am

thank you, we will definately be rolling it - just got to find the time to roll massive amounts of barley! At least it was free so am not complaining  :pig:

Title: Re: Rolled Barley
Post by: supplies for smallholders on September 09, 2010, 03:15:14 pm

Hi,

We feed it all the time - its fine, but as you say it must be rolled.

Just a few KG a day as it tends to lay on fat.

Thanks

Title: Re: Rolled Barley
Post by: chickenfeed on September 09, 2010, 03:24:36 pm

 :wave:we mill our own barley, wheat and peas/beans but rather than just roll it for the pigs we mill it they seem to digest it better, but as sfs has said barley will put fat on if fed too much we use wheat as a filler and barley as a fattner.

Title: Re: Rolled Barley
Post by: sausagesandcash on September 09, 2010, 05:17:09 pm

personally i would soak it for 12 hrs before feeding it. In my experience it makes it easier for the pigs to digest.

Title: Re: Rolled Barley
Post by: BadgerFace on September 09, 2010, 05:19:21 pm

Or you can soak it and then boil it until the grain splits. Excellent to put weight on horses as well as piggies  :pig:

Title: Re: Rolled Barley
Post by: Helencus on September 09, 2010, 11:16:04 pm

So how do you roll it? I'm interested in getting away from commercial pig feed so really interested in what others feed

Title: Re: Rolled Barley
Post by: BadgerFace on September 10, 2010, 09:02:28 am

Quote from: Helencus on September 09, 2010, 11:16:04 pm

So how do you roll it? I'm interested in getting away from commercial pig feed so really interested in what others feed

Using a grain mill/roller/crusher, either driven by a tractor or stationary engine. Google 'Bamford corn mill' to see pic's, quite large heavy bits of kit ! Though Ascott Smallholder Supplies do a modern small version - not sure how they would stand up to heavy duty daily use.  :pig:

Title: Re: Rolled Barley
Post by: pottsie on September 10, 2010, 01:40:19 pm

The advice i got from my breeder was half (soaked) rolled barley and haf pig feed, i also supplement this with fuit and veg. They both look great at the moment. Is there any other foods to recomend or would this be about right?

Rob.  ;D

Title: Re: Rolled Barley
Post by: powispigs on September 10, 2010, 07:00:45 pm

that was what we were planning half and half, thank you for all the replies  :wave:

Title: Re: Rolled Barley
Post by: gavo on September 10, 2010, 08:08:02 pm

We have found half and half can cause the pigs to lose condition we do quarter barley to 3 quarters pig pellets,sometimes we alternate with maize as they do love maize same ratio

Title: Re: Rolled Barley
Post by: Hilarysmum on September 11, 2010, 09:13:41 am

Gavo how do you feed the maize rolled or ground?

Title: Re: Rolled Barley
Post by: gavo on September 20, 2010, 11:48:00 am

Sorry for such a long time to reply;we feed ours rolled we never soak it and find they love it.

Title: Re: Rolled Barley
Post by: Hilarysmum on September 21, 2010, 09:16:57 am

Thanks for that.   :)