[Nisbet]

We have a mill close by who process oats and pearl barley and they sell a product which they name BARMOL which is made up from the two cereals, turned with molasses and pelleted.  They sell it in 1 tonne tote bags at an incredibly good price.  It is very popular with some of our local farmers.   Would this be suitable for my piggies and if so, what other foods would I need to supply in order to give them a balanced diet.  I am very keen to mix my own grub for them as 25kg sacks of S&W are darn expensive, but I want to be sure they are getting all they need.  I see Andy Case gives a good standard mix in his wee book. Any suggestions and advice would be appreciated.  I do hope the Barmol can be used as an ingredient in their diet as it will make a huge difference to the cost of feeding my girlies.  Dead keen to hear what others feed - what mixes of straights you find meets requirements.  Thank you.

[supplies for smallholders]

sounds a good mix, but you need to get some protein in there (Soya / peas / beans) and minerals.

Take a look at a bag of S&W and note the ingredients - or google the minerals required.

Thanks

Gareth
www.suppliesforsmallholders.co.uk

[smiffy]

Just be aware that you need a licence to mix pig feed and defra can be funny

the alternative is to keep all straights in different bins and mix in the bucket

[Nisbet]

As Langdon commented on his recent subject I do the same - out of 65 hits only 2 replies  - but thanks anyway you two guys.  Happy Piggy Days.

[Hilarysmum]

Nisbet better 2 good replies than dozens of people saying I dont know.  Or waffling, like this one.

[Daisys Mum]

I agree with HM as I had no idea though followed with interest as I am always looking for ways to cut feeding costs. Feed bills over the winter have been scary, but it has been an exceptionaly hard winter especially for the sheep and horses.
I am not too far away from you so could be interesed in some too, do you buy it direct from the mill?

[Malc]

Smiffy's right that Defra can be a bit iffy about you mixing your own feed, but in Scotland the rules are often different (and usually a little more straightforward). I doubt Seerad will object to you mixing feed on your own farm for your own pigs. On our last check the only things they seemed really interested in were that pig feed was stored away from food for ponies and hens and that nothing from our kitchen went into the feed. Having said that, I'd check with your local office.

[Helencus]

Why does the feed have to be kept away from horse feed? Mine is all seperate bins but kept in the horse trailer as I don't have anywhere else relatively rat proof. Is this a problem? I've not read that.

[herdsman]

Feed for non ruminants must be kept away from feed for ruminants. Yiour pig, poultry and horse feed can be stored close to each other but should not be stored near to sheep, cattle and goat feed and should use seperate feeding scoops.
The one that AnimalHealth/Defra really dont like is pet food near farmed animal feed as the pet foods more often than not contain meat products which are not allowed any where near.
All to do with BSE/TSE regs

[Helencus]

Ok phew that's alright then thanks