[GribinIsaf]

Does anyone buy in pig food specifically designed for traditional breeds, ie not high-growth commercial feeds?

I have seen a couple of references recently to the desirability of not using these commercial feeds, which I am sure is right.  However they are readily available and, I guess, cheaper than specialist feeds.

We currently use sow pellets (16% protein I think) for all purposes.  Price varies slightly with time but recently we have been paying £6.70 to £6.90 per 20 kg.

I know you can mix your own feed but don't think we are up to that.

Also, if you do use a commercial mix how little do you go down to for an empty sow so she doesn't put on weight!

Thanks for any thoughts.

[harmony]

I guess most people use what their local stores offer.


There are differing views on whether you feed a high protein, commercial finisher to traditionals breed. Some will say they don't because they don't need it. I think you can only take any argument for or against with a look at the carcase quality.


Yes, commercial units want a fast turnaround from weaner to finisher and they feed accordingly and they feed to hybrids. Bred to convert food as quickly as possible and in very controlled conditions.  Some will argue that traditional breeds lay down too much fat if fed commercial grower/finisher. In my opinion fed incorrect amounts any pig will be fat.


Pigs convert food at the most efficient rate the younger fed a quality creep they will get a really good start.


My friend finished pigs for a number of years for butchers. Mostly traditional breeds. He was able to compare feed performance, pig performance and breed performance on quite a big scale. Given the same feed for example welsh would finish before saddleback and saddleback before OSAB's.  Feeding higher protein finisher produced leaner pugs than lower protein foods. The feed merchant said that was because with lower protein feeds the pigs body told them they needed fat in reserve.

[GribinIsaf]

Feeding higher protein finisher produced leaner pugs than lower protein foods. The feed merchant said that was because with lower protein feeds the pigs body told them they needed fat in reserve.

That's an interesting point. Thanks for your thoughts.

[SallyintNorth]

We’ve switched from Mole Valley’s own sow rolls to to Allen & Page’s Rare Breed Sow Cakes, primarily because we wanted a non-GM feed and the MV one is no longer GM-free.  Another bonus is that the RBSCs are made from natural ingredients grown in this country, so there’s no soya   Oh and they’re in paper sacks too, so no horrible plastic.  (We do have to make sure we don’t let the sacks get wet though.)

They’re more expensive and we have to have our local supplier get them in specially, but we much prefer a more natural diet and allowing them to grow more slowly. 

These pigs are for our own consumption, so we don’t need to worry about not making commercial sense.  Plus, for us non-GM is a must and the only other way of getting non-GM without mixing your own is to get full-on organic, which is also more expensive and is mostly still soya .

[GribinIsaf]

We’ve switched from Mole Valley’s own sow rolls to to Allen & Page’s Rare Breed Sow Cakes,

Thanks SallyintNorth, that's the sort of info I was interested in.  Quite a price differential - over 40% increase in feed costs over what we currently pay.  Do empathise with your reasons.

[farmers wife]

Hi-peak and HJ Lea Oaks are the companies we use as organic.  Works out around £10 per 20kg bag.  Usually buy in 1 tonne tote bags.  The problems are carriage which can add £25 - £48 per pallet.  When you want things in small amounts its just so expensive. They are around 16%.


I have bought in from mole valley I will need to check but again it usually works out the same costs. But def you want GM free.


The last lot of pigs we had raised on layer pellets worked fine 17%.


We've always had traditional breeds and no issues with feeds the last lot Welsh we had on ad-lib worked well but they did have a huge pond and lots of digging.