[tommytink]

We had two female pigs that we raised for meat a couple of years ago and fed them a measured amount of sow and weaner nuts twice a day, plus fruit and veg. We were winging it a bit but obvs did something right as the guy at the abattoir said we’d done a good job.
Now we have two male pigs about 10 weeks old. I got a bag of rearer but this is pellets not nuts. Can I continue with sow and weaner like before, even if they’re not sows and not weaners?! The person I got them from said yes, but they feed a mixed blend they buy from miles away and I only have the standard stuff I can get from the co-op. OH found a chart about how much to feed (I haven’t got a record of it from when we had ours  ) but I’m concerned they’re not getting enough if we’re measuring out a feed that says it should be given adlib...

[harmony]

Yes, you can feed rearer in measured amounts rather than ad lib. And yes, you can feed sow and weaner nuts to finishers.


There is often a healthy debate on here about rearing pigs and people have their own way of doing things. Some are ad libbers, some feed measured amounts, some rearer, some sow and weaner. Your choice but whatever you do the taste will be so much better than supermarket pork!

[tommytink]

We still have pork from the last two, and they left us the end of 2019!! Only two of us so two pigs lasts a long time  And you’re right, I always thought I didn’t really like pork until we had ours.

I keep a daily diary now of all things animal but didn’t in that first year. I think I’ll go for the sow and weaner to try and replicate what we did and at least this time I’ll have a record. I wasn’t sure if it had a detrimental affect on male pigs, like you don’t feed male sheep ewe nuts?

I always assume if you feed adlib they’ll keep eating until it’s gone? I guess they don’t though otherwise people would be spending a fortune on feed! Set feeds work best for us as otherwise we’re weather watching and having to collect it in at night to avoid attracting rodents. Also helps to remind them who’s boss!

[harmony]

Pig feed is ok for male and female pigs. Working boars are fed sow and weaner ration.


They might "pig out" initially with ad lib like cows or sheep when first given a large bale but then they settle. They will finish quicker on ad lib.

[tommytink]

Thanks Harmony