[MiriMaran]

Sorry for starting another feeding thread, but reading the others still haven't answered my question!

I am on the threshold of getting a couple of weaners for fattening - paperwork in and field 'hooligan' proofed, I've read up enough to make my head explode and sfter 3 years of prepartion we are about to buy - yipeee

So my question.  I read some where that weaner/finisher nuts should be avoided as they are too fattening?!  Could someone clarify whether this is correct?  I can't remember where i read it.  I have the local grocer lined up for giving me the out of date stuff and understand to feed pig nuts at a 1 lb a day for every month of their life and then stay at 6lbs after that, but what type of pig nuts do I buy?  Does it matter as long as I check that they have 16% protein?

I would be really grateful if somone could clear this up for me.  Thank you.

[garden cottage]

we used allen and page weaner finisher without any problems try and feed some veg or carrots that havent been thro a kitchen. be careful with some of the cheaper pig nuts as some nasty residues left in from manufacturing process, like all things you get what you pay for. enjoy your pigs I loved keeping them...............neil

[BillyBerridge]

I have give my growing pigs finisher nuts, I think the point that most miss is that the 1lb of food per day per month of life rule,  is only a rough guide and you will proberly not feed quite as much as this.

What breed are you intending on buying?

Also the more space they get to run around in plays a part in how much fat they put on. i.e more space and stimulation = less fat, than a smaller space with nothing to keep them busy.

You can gauge how much fat they are gaining by running your hand down their spine as they grow, if you can clearly feel their spine then they doing ok, if you can barely feel the spine they have too much fat and you shoud cut their food down.

Hope that helps..

BB

[sausagesandcash]

Personally I avoid anything with GM ingredients, they're generally in the cheaper nuts.

[Hilarysmum]

Over here there is no choice, we feed finishers to everything.  When available we also feed large quantities of veg.  It may be that if you are feeding a lot of veg, i.e. 5 or 6 kilos per day per pig, you could cut down a little on pig nuts.  I think its a 1lb a day to a maximum of 5lbs.  Is that around 2 kilos?  We sent two off this week who at 6 months were 110 kilos dw.  They came back with about 2 cms back fat.  We fed 2 kilos a day from 6 weeks old but huge amounts of veg.  They had an acre minimum between them.  Hope that helps.  Although I think a lot depends on circumstances, weather, breed, so as BB says run your hand down their spine and gauge from that.  It all comes from experience.  If pos. keep a rough record of what you feed, then when you do the next two you can adjust your feed accordingly.

[sausagesandcash]

What veg are you feeeding, and is it boiled or raw, shredded or chopped. I'm very interested in how you prep it.

Morgan

[carl]

Through winter, when fresh food stuff is scarce, then you have to feed more pig nuts. especially as the pigs are burning more to keep warm. I will boil up big pans of whole spuds in winter, unwashed. the pigs love them. In summer obviously more fresh stuff is available, and it is warmer, so no spuds. Loads of green stuff, from veggie patch ( i plant too much of everything on purpose), and less pig nuts. I don't like my pigs to be too lean, or too fatty, so i have to adjust accordingly. I have looked at a cheaper source of pig nuts, but they used gm maize, soya and wheat and i stayed with my usual supplier , which use natural products, but not organic. I figure that if the pig has a good out door enclosure with loads of grass and weeds in it will get plenty of execise and nutrition with a twice daily feed of pig finisher nuts and flaked grain mixed.plus veg plants and weeds chucked on for them to graze on. the options are infinite, as long as you achieve a growth rate that suits and a healthy happy pig.

[dixie]

I use Duffields sow pencils

[BillyBerridge]

I think its a 1lb a day to a maximum of 5lbs.  Is that around 2 kilos? 

Should up to 6 lbs so they say..

2.2lbs = 1kg, so yes 2 kg is around 5lbs

[Hilarysmum]

We are (or were) very lucky in that we could collect frozen veg from the local factory.  Hilary has developed quite a sophisticated palet. 

[MiriMaran]

Thanks for all the advice - I can see I'm going to get hooked on this site!!

OK so consensus is finisher nuts is fine and feed loads of veg and then watch the weight and adjust accordingly.  Also avoid GM!

Originally, we were going to get 1 GOS and 1 British Saddleback, but the local breeders only seem to have British Saddlebacks available at the moment.

My field is 1 3/4 acres, which currently has 2 donkeys on it, but they are hopefully leaving for a new life on Tuesday.  Then there are a couple of things to sort out in the field ready for the arrival of the pigs.  As yet, I have 2 breeders numbers, but haven't phoned them to arrange to buy as I want everything to be perfect here first.

[Hilarysmum]

hi might be worth phoning around now as good breeders often have waiting lists for litters particularly for gilts.  (Not to say that those who dont are not good breeders).

[MiriMaran]

I had a look in the local agricultural suppliers and they sell Massey Feeds Turbo Weaner nuts that has 19% protein, Massey Feeds Turbo 50 finisher nuts 18% protein and Massy Feeds Breeder Nuts 16% protein.  All of these contain GM Soya and don't contain fishmeal!

Am I best to avoid this food?

[doganjo]

Well I would!  Anything that's GM I avoid like the plague! JMHO

[Hilarysmum]

Is it possible to get non GM soya?  Was told by local feed merchant that its all GM from USA now a days.  (Mind that could be my poor translation skills).