[Andy1982]

I was just wondering how much a new patch for pigs add to their substance. I will be raising 3or so sows from 8week olds for my first. How much do you need to feed them at the start. I know you are meant to feed 1lb per month of pig per dayper pig. Do they get much from ploughing up the patch they are on or not or do i just feed them the same and the grass counts as zero points .

Cheers.
Andy

[gavo]

Yes just ignore the grass as a source of nutrition just think of it as enviromental enrichment! If you manage to source fruit and veg then approx 4lb of it equates to 1lb of meal; when they are very young just treat it as a treat as they grow it can form a larger part of their diet so long as they always get meal;think of it as plate enrichment for the future as the more varied their diet the better they taste.

[Hilarysmum]

I agree with Gavo and oh how I wish some of the pig keepers I meet over here would read and digest this information instead of thinking pigs can live on bear earth or at best grass, with occasional turnip and scraps thrown over, grow from 6 weeks old to mature sows in 8 months and then produce 10 - 15 piglets who all grow at an alarming rate.  All having been fed grass cuttings and rubbish.

Sorry rant over