Feed and water
for growing pigs
The
provision of food and water is an obvious essential for production animals.
In
pig the average daily feed intake dry matter can be estimate to be 4% of the
bodyweight of the pig.
The
pig’s average daily water use can be estimated to be 10% of its bodyweight.
There
are two main types of pigs feed – a dry feed – whose water content will be
below 20% and a “wet” fed where water is added deliberately and/or the water
content is high initially – for example vegetables or swill is being fed.
With
these guides expected intake can be calculated per pig in the group.
|
Body weight |
10 |
30 |
50 |
70 |
90 |
110 |
Kg
live weight |
|
Dry matter feed intake |
0.4 |
1.2 |
2 |
2.8 |
3.6 |
4.4 |
kg
per day |
|
Daily
water intake |
1 |
3 |
5 |
7 |
9 |
11 |
Litres
per day |
|
Wet feed intake |
1.2 |
3.6 |
6 |
8.4 |
10.8 |
13.2 |
Kg
per day |
|
Daily
water intake |
0.2 |
0.6 |
1 |
1.4 |
1.8 |
2.2 |
Litres
per day |
How often should the pigs be
fed?
Dry
feed
With
dry feed after weaning the food is placed in a feeder and food is made
available all day.
Thus
the entire day’s feed for the whole group of pigs is added to the feeder once
daily.
Wet
fed
With
wet fed, the feed is offered to the pigs around 5 times a day. All the pigs eat at the same time. Therefore, the trough length needs to be long
enough for all the pigs (at the end of finishing) to be able to eat at the same
time. The pigs will rapidly become
accustomed to this type of feeding regime.
One additional “feed” time should be provided which is just plain
water. Keep a record of each feeding
time – as shown below:
How long a feeder is
required?
|
Body weight |
10 |
30 |
50 |
70 |
90 |
110 |
Kg
live weight |
|
Ad lib feed pig -dry |
3.3 |
4 |
5 |
6.5 |
7 |
7.5 |
cm |
|
For
10 pigs |
0.3 |
0.4 |
0.5 |
0.7 |
0.7 |
0.8 |
metres |
|
Restricted feed pig - wet |
13 |
17 |
21 |
25 |
28 |
30 |
cm |
|
For
10 pigs |
1.3 |
1.7 |
2.1 |
2.5 |
2.8 |
3.0 |
metres |
At
the end of the feeders have a slope so that the feeder is easier to clean.
Food preparation
If
swill feed is used, it is essential to boil the food thoroughly for at least 30
minutes. This is to kill any viruses
that might be present in the feed – potentially African and Classical Swine
Fever virus – both which can result in extremely high mortality in pigs. Feed should be used within 48 hours of
collection.
|
|
|
|
Swill
being boiled for a minimum of 30 minutes |
Feeding
records for wet feeding – 5 times a day and one additional water only feed |
