The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Julia1521 on September 01, 2020, 06:14:00 pm

Title: What do you feed your pigs?
Post by: Julia1521 on September 01, 2020, 06:14:00 pm
Hi guys,

I have a couple of sows that I took on from a friend of friend who could no longer keep them. They are wild boar crosses, approximately 400kg. I have been feeding them 'breeding sow pellets' as this is what they were being fed when I got them. However, I have no intention of breeding them so am wondering if this is the best food for them. I know it's designed to promote milk production and that's something they obviously aren't doing at the moment so does this mean they are getting more of some nutrients than they need, particularity stuff like fats and protein?

I have struggled a little to keep their weight down despite feeding them less than the feeding guidelines suggest although I think this is a least partly down to them being very inactive. I do make sure to provide loads of enrichment (sensory, environmental, food based and with toys) so this does help. B

I've seen an alternative pig feed that says it's designed to suit pigs of all ages and stages of development (Badminton Country Pig Nuts). It contains a little bit more protein and fibre than their current one. I am a little sceptical about it because I know pigs have different nutritional requirements at different ages so I don't understand how one feed can meet them all. I would have thought that if it is suitable for growing pigs surely it would be too high in protein and fat for adult pigs? I am only guessing here though.

Any recommendations? Would be very intrested to know what you all feed yours. I should also say they have some barley during the winter to bulk out their feed and vegetables most days.

I would also be interested to know if anyone provides hay for their pigs, I've heard mixed things!

Thanks!
Title: Re: What do you feed your pigs?
Post by: SallyintNorth on September 01, 2020, 07:31:31 pm
Sow rolls are the lowest input of all pig feeds, consequently many of us feed those to all but the weaners (up to 4 months old), as the traditional types don't need more.  And some feed sow rolls to trad breeds right through ;)



Title: Re: What do you feed your pigs?
Post by: harmony on September 01, 2020, 07:58:57 pm
Most people feed sow nuts or rolls to dry sows. How much are you feeding? If you think they are too fat then cut the food back. Replacing with barley wont reduce fat. Barley is fattening. Sow food is generally for dry and milking sows. Milking sows get the same feed just more of it. Being in pig produces milk not the food. Spread the food out over multiple meals and give them more reasons to get up and exercise.


Traditional weaners are often finished on sow nuts as people think that finisher puts on too much fat on a traditional breed. I would disagree. Too much of any food puts on fat. However, you have dry sows so I'll park that one.
Title: Re: What do you feed your pigs?
Post by: Julia1521 on September 01, 2020, 08:34:37 pm
Thanks guys, sounds like they are probably on the right food then. They are a healthy weight at the moment but I like the idea of splitting up their meals to get them moving, I will definitely start doing that.
Title: Re: What do you feed your pigs?
Post by: sabrina on September 01, 2020, 09:29:13 pm
I have only fed weaners to bring on for the freezer. apart from the sow and weaner pig nuts I also fed, fruit and veg from the garden. We have 3 apple trees and I always plant extra veg just for the pigs. This was something they got at lunch time around 12 pm. They were fed pig nuts at 7am and 5pm. this broke up their day and seemed to work very well.