Content
- 1 Advantages of introducing compound feed into the diet of pigs and piglets
- 2 What determines the composition of feed for piglets and pigs?
- 3 Types of combined feeds
- 4 Composition of feed for pigs and piglets
- 5 Is it possible to make pig feed with your own hands?
- 6 How to calculate feeding rates
- 7 Rules and conditions for storing combined feeds
- 8 Conclusion
Compound feed for pigs is a mixture that includes various purified and crushed components, protein and vitamin supplements and premixes. Compound feed is a complete and maximally balanced nutrition for animals. When selected correctly, it can increase household productivity by 30%.
Advantages of introducing compound feed into the diet of pigs and piglets
The introduction of feed into the diet of pigs has many advantages. First of all, it saves a lot of time.Most feeds are complete and have a rich composition. When feeding on them, pigs do not need any other food. Compound feed is also convenient to transport and store; its use helps save space in warehouses.
There are different types of food designed for animals of all ages: from a small piglet to an adult pig. This makes it possible to provide a balanced diet and meet the nutritional needs of pigs of different ages, taking into account their physiology.
What determines the composition of feed for piglets and pigs?
The composition of feed largely depends on the type of farm. If it relates to meat, preference should be given to protein feeds containing easily digestible proteins, fiber, vitamin and mineral supplements. If the farm is in a greasy direction, your choice should be on roughage, energy feed based on complex carbohydrates.
The diet of pigs belonging to different age categories varies. Young, recently born piglets have a sensitive digestive system that cannot digest roughage. However, nutritional habits at an early age determine how animals subsequently gain weight.
Starting from the 3rd - 7th day, suckling piglets can eat pre-starting crumbs, then they are gradually transferred to starter feed.
The composition of feed for pigs may also differ depending on the conditions of the area in which the animals are kept.In some regions, certain components may be unavailable, so they are replaced with others that are equivalent and easily available. For example, wheat is often replaced with grain corn, and fish meal with meat.
Types of combined feeds
Compound feeds come in complete and concentrated forms. Complete feeds are complete food for pigs that do not require any other additives. Concentrated ones serve as an additive to the main feed. Their composition in large quantities includes various vitamins, proteins and minerals. Such feed is necessary to stimulate the growth and productivity of pigs and level out the litter.
According to the classification, the composition of all pig feeds is:
- protein (characterized by a high content of proteins that promote rapid growth of animals);
- energy (characterized by a large amount of carbohydrates, contain a lot of cereals);
- consisting of waste from meat and dairy production;
- containing coarse impurities: vegetables, tops or bran (they are an addition to the main feed, used to increase the immunity of pigs).
By purpose they are divided:
- for pre-start (for suckling piglets);
- starter (for piglets up to 1.5 months);
- feed for piglets from 1.5 to 8 months;
- growth (for fattening animals);
- feed for sows;
- finishing (for stud boars).
Compound feeds can also be dry, wet or liquid. They are divided according to their form:
- for granulated feed;
- crumb;
- placer;
- cereal
Composition of feed for pigs and piglets
Feed produced in production for different groups of pigs differs in its composition, the main elements of which are regulated by GOST.However, there is no single recipe. The compositions are adapted by manufacturers to regional conditions and the local food supply.
For breeding boars, we recommend feed consisting of:
- from 27% barley;
- 26% oats;
- 18% alfalfa meal;
- 16% meat and bone meal;
- 9% sunflower meal;
- 2% feed chalk;
- 1% table salt;
- 1% premix P 57-2-89.
Compound feed for fattening pigs consists of:
- from 40% barley;
- 30% corn;
- 9.5% wheat bran;
- 6% meat and bone meal;
- 5% herbal flour;
- 5% peas;
- 3% soybean or sunflower meal;
- 1% chalk;
- 0.5% salt.
Prestarters for piglets may contain:
- up to 60% corn;
- up to 50% wheat and triticale;
- 10 - 40% extruded barley;
- up to 25% soybean meal;
- up to 10% peas and other legumes;
- up to 10% full-fat soy;
- up to 5% fishmeal;
- up to 5% rapeseed meal;
- up to 5% sunflower meal;
- up to 3% milk powder and lactose;
- up to 3% potato protein;
- 0.5-3% feed oil.
Starter feed for piglets includes approximately:
- 30% barley flour;
- 21% corn flour;
- 20% bran;
- 9% milk powder;
- 6% bean flour;
- 4% fishmeal;
- 3% feed yeast;
- 3% premix;
- 2% grass meal;
- 1% calcium carbonate;
- 1% animal fats.
Composition of feed for piglets from 1.5 to 8 months:
- 69% barley;
- 15% yeast;
- 7% feed fat;
- 5% chalk;
- 3% premix;
- 1% salt.
The composition of feed for sows varies depending on their purpose:
Raw materials | Pregnant sows | Lactating sows |
Barley | 20 — 70% | 20 — 70% |
Wheat, corn, triticale | up to 40% | up to 40% |
Oats | up to 30% | up to 15% |
Wheat bran | up to 20% | up to 5% |
Dry pulp | up to 25% | up to 5% |
Full fat soybean | to 10% | up to 15% |
Sunflower meal | to 10% | up to 5% |
Rapeseed meal | to 10% | up to 7% |
Peas | to 10% | to 10% |
Fish flour | until 3% | up to 5% |
Feed oil | 0,5 — 1% | 1 — 3% |
Is it possible to make pig feed with your own hands?
Preparing feed for pigs with your own hands will significantly reduce household costs. There are a large number of recipes for different age groups. When you produce feed yourself at the lowest cost, you can choose the most suitable composition.
It is recommended to prepare food yourself in small portions, since drying pellets at home, without special equipment, is quite difficult. Piglets and sows are usually given medium-ground feed, and pigs for slaughter - coarse feed.
Equipment for the production of combined feeds
To produce feed at home, you may need the following equipment:
- scales that allow you to accurately follow recipes;
- granulator, which gives the same shape to the particles of the feed mixture;
- extruder, used to improve nutritional properties and get rid of bacteria;
- grain crusher for more thorough grinding;
- grain mixer, which can reduce energy and time costs for mixing grain components.
What is included in pig feed
All feeds contain the same components contained in different proportions, these are:
- Cereals are a valuable source of carbohydrates. The maximum amount of carbohydrates is found in corn, but it is often replaced with wheat, barley or oats.
- Legumes, cakes and meals are sources of protein, vegetable fat and amino acids.
- Fish and meat meal containing large amounts of animal proteins.
- Herbal flour and bran, which serve as a source of fiber and ensure the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- Premixes containing vitamins and minerals that are necessary for healthy development and strengthening the immune system of pigs.
The composition of feed for piglets differs from the composition of feed for adult animals in the percentage of components. Their diet is optionally supplemented with lactose and powdered milk, bread, finely chopped potatoes, and peas.
How to make feed for pigs
The technology for preparing compound feed for pigs with your own hands is common to all recipes:
- The first step is to rinse and thoroughly dry all grain and legume ingredients. Under-dried cereal may subsequently become moldy.
- Using a grinder, grind the grains and beans.
- Add the remaining ingredients, mix well.
- Dilute the mixture with warm water; the consistency should resemble dough. To obtain a liquid consistency, water and feed must be taken in a ratio of 3:1; for thick – 2.5:1; for mushy – 2:1; for wet placer – 1:1; for dry placer – 0.5:1.
- Grind the resulting mixture using a meat grinder to obtain granules similar in appearance to industrial ones.
- Dry the feed.
In order for pigs to better absorb feed, experienced farmers steam it. To do this, pour dry feed into an airtight container, pour boiling water over it and leave for several hours to swell.
Another method of preparing compound feed is yeast. Yeast technology:
- prepare dishes with a volume of 15 - 20 liters;
- pour in warm water;
- add yeast at the rate of 100 g per 10 kg of dry feed;
- add mixed feed, mix;
- leave for 6 - 8 hours.
The ingredients included in feed intended for different groups of animals will differ. To fatten pigs for meat, use the following recipe:
- 34% wheat;
- 20% barley;
- 20% protein-mineral concentrate (can be replaced with dairy waste, fish and meat meal);
- 11% cut beans, peas;
- 7% dry beet pulp;
- 5% feed yeast;
- 2% salt;
- 1% premix.
Feed recipe for fattening pigs for lard (KK 58):
- 35% bran;
- 25% wheat;
- 17.4% barley;
- 10% feed flour;
- 10% feed oats;
- 1.8% lime flour;
- 0.4% salt;
- 0.4% premix.
Feed recipe for bacon fattening pigs:
- 39.5% barley;
- 15% corn;
- 15% wheat bran;
- 10% wheat;
- 8% peas;
- 5% herbal flour;
- 2% sunflower meal;
- 2% feed yeast;
- 1% meat and bone and fish meal;
- 1% chalk;
- 1% premix;
- 0.5% salt.
Feeding sows also requires a special diet. The following recipe is recommended for feeding lactating sows:
- 40% barley;
- 28% wheat or corn;
- 8% peas;
- 7% soybean meal;
- 5% sunflower meal;
- 5% oats;
- 3% fishmeal;
- 3% mineral supplements (lysine, methionine);
- 1% soybean oil.
Pregnant sows are prepared with food at home, which includes:
- 40% barley;
- 20% oats;
- 17% wheat or corn;
- 15% dry pulp;
- 3% peas;
- 3% sunflower meal;
- 2% mineral supplements (lysine).
How to make feed for piglets at home
The technological process for preparing feed for piglets with your own hands is no different from the technology for preparing feed for adult animals.
It is recommended that young piglets aged 8 to 30 days prepare pre-start feed consisting of:
- from 61% barley flour;
- 20% dry skim milk;
- 9% feed yeast;
- 2% meat and bone meal;
- 2% fishmeal;
- 2% alfalfa flour;
- 2% chalk and salt;
- 1% carbohydrates;
- 1% sunflower cake.
Once the piglets reach one month of age, they begin to be accustomed to starter feed, which is used up to 1.5 - 2 months. The composition of homemade starter feed for piglets includes:
- 72% barley flour;
- 10% dry skim milk;
- 8% feed yeast;
- 3% alfalfa flour;
- 3% chalk and salt;
- 3% sunflower cake;
- 1% fishmeal;
- 1% meat and bone meal.
Up to 8 months, piglets are actively developing muscle and fat tissue, so there is no need yet to formulate special nutrition for fattening. The diet begins to change after young pigs reach a weight of 100 kg. The feed recipe recommended by farmers for piglets aged 1.5 to 8 months includes:
- 28% barley;
- 27% oats;
- 18% alfalfa meal;
- 16% protein-mineral concentrate;
- 9% sunflower meal;
- 2% chalk;
- 1% salt;
- 1% premix.
How to calculate feeding rates
Feeding rates for pigs and piglets depend primarily on the age and body weight of the animal:
Age up to 2 months, weight up to 20 kg | Age from 2 to 4 months, weight up to 40 kg | Age from 4 to 8 months, weight up to 100 kg | |||
Age (days) | Feeding rate (g/day) | Age (days) | Feeding rate (g/day) | Age (days) | Feeding rate (g/day) |
10-15 | 25 | 61 — 70 | 850 | 118 — 129 | 1750 |
16-20 | 50 | 71 — 80 | 900 | 130 — 141 | 2000 |
21-25 | 100 | 81 — 90 | 1050 | 142 — 153 | 2150 |
26-30 | 225 | 91 — 100 | 1250 | 154 — 165 | 2250 |
31-35 | 350 | 101 — 105 | 1550 | 166 — 177 | 2350 |
36-40 | 450 | 106 — 117 | 1650 | 178 — 189 | 2550 |
41-45 | 550 |
|
| 190 — 201 | 2850 |
46-50 | 650 |
|
| 202 — 213 | 3200 |
51-55 | 750 |
|
| 214 — 240 | 3500 |
56-60 | 850 |
|
|
|
|
Next, the consumption rates of feed for pigs are changed in accordance with the direction and goals of cultivation. When fattening, it is recommended to adhere to the following standards:
Pig weight (kg) | Feeding rate (kg/day) |
110 — 120 | 4,1 — 4,6 |
121 — 130 | 4,2 — 4,8 |
131 — 140 | 4,3 — 5 |
141 — 150 | 4,4 — 5,1 |
151 — 160 | 4,5 — 5,5 |
If intensive meat fattening is planned, at an early age, when the animal’s body weight reaches 14 - 15 kg, it is necessary to adjust not only the composition of the feed for pigs, but also adhere to the feeding standards indicated in the table:
Pig weight (kg) | Feeding rate (kg/day) |
14 — 20 | 1,3 — 1,5 |
21 — 30 | 1,4 — 1,7 |
31 — 40 | 1,5 — 1,8 |
41 — 50 | 2 — 2,3 |
51 — 60 | 2,1 — 2,4 |
61 — 70 | 2,6 — 3 |
71 — 80 | 3,2 — 3,7 |
81 — 90 | 3,3 — 3,8 |
91 — 100 | 3,9 — 4,4 |
101 — 110 | 4 — 4,5 |
At what age can piglets be given compound feed?
Piglets are given compound feed starting from the 5th - 7th day of life. However, the stomach of a small pig will not be able to digest rough feed for adult pigs. For them, food is produced with a special composition and a thinner consistency. Compound feed is introduced into the diet of piglets gradually, starting with small portions of 20 - 25 g. Subsequently, this amount gradually increases with the age of the animal.
Prestarters containing 5 to 12 components are used as the first feed. Without fail, they include bran, grains, meat and bone meal, yeast, chalk and salt. Sow's milk does not contain enough iron, so feed for piglets is usually enriched with this element.
How much feed does a piglet eat in 6 months?
You need to know how much feed is needed to feed one piglet.This is easy to determine, since there are feeding standards, based on which the daily dosage of feed is selected, depending on the weight and age of the animal. On average, one piglet eats about 225 kg of feed in six months. Below is a table calculating the approximate amount of feed required for one pig in each of the first six months of life.
1 month | 2 month | 3 month | 4 month | 5 month | 6 month |
2 kg | 18 kg | 28 kg | 45 kg | 62 kg | 70 kg |
How much feed does a pig eat per day?
In order to determine how much feed is needed per pig, the animal is regularly weighed, since feeding rates are calculated based on age and weight. Feeding too much leads to obesity in pigs, which negatively affects the taste and quality of meat.
The daily feed consumption for pigs of different ages will differ: the older the animal gets, the more feed it needs:
- 20 - 50 g - in the first days of life;
- 100 - 250 g - in the first month;
- 350 - 850 g - in the second month;
- 850 - 1750g - in the next 2 months;
- from 2 to 4.5 kg – subsequently.
Pregnant sows consume about 3 - 3.5 kg of feed per day, however, during periods of feeding piglets, these norms can double.
How much feed do you need to raise a pig?
As a rule, a pig is sent for slaughter at 8 - 10 months, when its body weight reaches 100 - 110 kg.To calculate how much feed is needed to raise a pig from a small piglet, in each specific case it is necessary to start from the daily norm and take into account that it differs greatly at different ages.
How much feed does a pig eat before slaughter?
Based on feeding standards, it is not difficult to calculate how much food one animal eats. On average, a pig needs 400 - 500 kg of feed before slaughter.
Rules and conditions for storing combined feeds
It is extremely important to know how to properly store feed. At home, sheds and garages are often used as storage space. The main conditions that a home warehouse must meet are as follows:
- the room must be clean;
- well ventilated;
- Precipitation and direct sunlight should not get inside;
- air temperature - no more than 25 oC, humidity - not higher than 75%;
- If there is an earthen floor, it must be covered with linoleum or fiberboard.
Compliance with these measures increases the shelf life of compound feed. To protect feed from rodents, you can store it in sealed plastic containers or buckets.
The shelf life of mixed feed also depends on its type. Granular feed can be stored for up to 6 months and is easy to transport. Loose and briquetted feed – from 1 to 3 months. The exact shelf life must be indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging.
Conclusion
Compound feed for pigs is a good way to save money and time.A wide range of ready-made combined feeds are currently presented in stores by various manufacturers, however, once you have mastered the technology, you can subsequently easily prepare them yourself.