[Andy1982]

We have got 3 saddlebaks now (2gilt and a boar). They are 16weeks now and one ,the biggest and healtyest of the 3 is a gilt weighing approx 92Lbs and the other 2 about 75ish. Now we are feeding them 1Lb per month per day in 2 feeds. Should they not be bigger than this or because they are a rare breed do they take more time. I am just a bit concerned that they are not big enough for their age. I say this cause we went to see some more pigs today and a 5 1/2 month old tammy cross boar was huge by comparison. Little help please.

Cheers

[Tudful Tamworths]

Your feeding rate is fine, but don't increase it, because this is the time when they will start laying down fat at a faster rate. I'm assuming you're feeding a standard pig feed. Personally, I feed mine up to a maximum of 3.5lb a day and then drop down to 3lb for the final four weeks. This works for me with Tamworths.
The weights sound ok to me. Cross-breeds often grow faster than pure breeds, so I wouldn't worry about comparing yours against others. As long as your pigs have been wormed and appear fit and healthy, I wouldn't be concerned.

[peteinwilts]

I followed this formula with saddlebacks until the food was 3Kg per day (across three feeds)

am i feeding too much?

i did not cut the feed down during the finishing period though, so probably did not help with the fat.

[HappyHippy]

Yes, 3Kg is over 6 and a half pounds - as you discovered a bit too much 
Your pigs should always look 'lean' as opposed to fat. If you can feel the backbone clearly, they're too skinny, but if you can't feel any ribs they're too fat 
But it's not just the quantity of feeding you've got to consider. Look at the size of area they're in, if it's small and they're not excercising they'll get even fatter than they would in a bigger area. You've also got to look at the ratio of feedstuffs - purely pig nuts ? barley & grain ? any part of the diet made up by fruit/veg/forage ? It's more complicated than just giving x amount per pig per day - every pig and every situation is different.
Hope that helps Pete ?
Karen 

[Andy1982]

Yes, 3Kg is over 6 and a half pounds - as you discovered a bit too much 
Your pigs should always look 'lean' as opposed to fat. If you can feel the backbone clearly, they're too skinny, but if you can't feel any ribs they're too fat 
But it's not just the quantity of feeding you've got to consider. Look at the size of area they're in, if it's small and they're not excercising they'll get even fatter than they would in a bigger area. You've also got to look at the ratio of feedstuffs - purely pig nuts ? barley & grain ? any part of the diet made up by fruit/veg/forage ? It's more complicated than just giving x amount per pig per day - every pig and every situation is different.
Hope that helps Pete ?
Karen 

Thanks for all the replies, I understand what you say insofar as the ground which ours have grass on tap at this point in time and we feed a mix of nuts (which i will be getting out of the way of due to imput chemicals,but story for another time) and rolled barley plus whatever comes out of the garden and some throw away carrotts etc. The bigger of the 3 is a proper "HOG" and she will stand out in the pissing rain to finish where the other two may come back later.

I can't stop her lust for food but also know that they are healthy. Credit to this site for my knowledge to a point and the ratio i feed is what it is meant to be ,but if a fatty wants it she has more weight to throw about to get what she wants....women ey lol.

off topic a bit,we just picked up another 3 weaners today (2landrace x york and one tammy x landrace). Interesting for them to meet the new neighbours and they want to sleep in thier hut but that's not happening.

Pigs are fecking addictive and we love them here.

[Tudful Tamworths]

Be careful about feeding barley - that will really put the weight on them. If they're really starving, oats will help fill them up. A lot of people recommend sugar beet, but I've never been able to persuade mine to eat it.

[Blonde]

oats has an outer covering on it that is just purely roughage.  It will feed pigs but it will also keep the fat off them.  YOu should may be feed it along with other grains to help put weight on quickly.   Wheat, lupins, peas, chickpeas

[Tudful Tamworths]

I wasn't recommending JUST feeding oats - merely using them as a part of the main feed. I do this when I bring sows indoors for farrowing, when I have to cut down their feed two days before. Keeps them satisfied.