What pigs eat: what to feed to grow quickly at home

Many believe that pigs eat almost everything, even dangerous products of plant and animal origin. They are truly omnivorous, not picky about food and will be happy with anything they are given. But if there is a desire to get high-quality meat, which will be in great demand among buyers, you should familiarize yourself with the rules of feeding and follow them. Also, monitor the diet of pets, develop it correctly and use only high-quality feed and products.

Features of the diet

Wild pigs are close relatives of livestock, very dangerous animals.In addition to plant products, they prefer meat, fish, do not refuse to hunt small animals and even people who carelessly walk through the forest, picking mushrooms. Bones are a source of calcium for wild animals. They prey on rats, birds, insects, do not refuse plant foods in the form of berries, flowers, grains, and mushrooms. They love fish and other aquatic life, so they have adapted to swim skillfully. Pigs are good at digging holes, finding plant roots.

Therefore, on farms, it is necessary to properly plan the diet, not forgetting that pigs need a moderate amount of coarse fibers. When developing it, the main thing is to keep in mind the norms for the type and breed of pigs, individual characteristics.

Types of feeding

There is a classification of feeding types depending on the consistency of the feed. It is important to stick to the same type, not changing it throughout the feeding of the animal.

Dry

Dry food involves the use of combined feeds, concentrates exclusively in non-soaked form. Typically, grain-based blends are used.

The benefits of this feeding method:

• does not deteriorate due to lack of moisture and is consumed whole by animals without residue;
• can be stored for a long time;
• removes odor from pig feces;
• helps raise piglets quickly.

Important! Give your pigs more water and make sure it is always in the trough, otherwise difficult digestion will lead to digestive disorders and constipation.

Liquid

Liquid nutrition is obsessed with serving formulas, chowders and dairy products. This method allows you to save money, since most often waste is used for cooking. If this technology is used, the animal will gain weight poorly, grow slowly and maintain weight.

The nutrient mass can be prepared independently using vitamin and mineral supplements, 10 g per 1 kg of finished feed.

Wet

Most often, pig breeders use the classic type of feeding - wet. It involves the preparation of the so-called mash. Food waste, milk, concentrates, vegetables, herbs are used for cooking. This method is economical and better than liquid, because it is more balanced and nutritious. Pigs get enough proteins, fats and carbohydrates, as a result of which they gain weight.

Important! It is worth remembering that such food deteriorates quickly, so regularly clean the leftovers and wash the feeder.

Types of feeding

Compiling complete diets must be justified. To begin with, decide what the pig is grown for, what you ultimately want to get: meat or lard.

For meat

Meat feeding technology is divided into the following types:

1. Low intensity.Weight gain is insignificant; before slaughter, a one-year-old animal weighs from 90 to 100 kg. This type has the advantage that few costs are spent on feeding. Most often used when growing at home, in the presence of a small farm. In this case, the meat is of poor quality.
2. Intense. The weight gain is significant. At the age of 1 year, the weight of the pig exceeds 120 kg, that is, 20% more than the previous type. Feed is more expensive in this type of diet, but the original product is of excellent quality if the diet is followed. Thanks to this type, you can raise a pig in 6 months.
3. Bacon. To get high-quality bacon, juicy and soft pork, the meat must contain a lot of muscle mass and a thin layer of fat. Piglets for such complementary foods are selected according to special criteria. They should be he althy, have thin skin, an even torso and belly without fatty sagging. The pig should have a strong back and plenty of fat and muscle from the occiput to the tail.Fattening is divided into several stages, the animal must eat about 750 g per day.

For meat and fat productivity

When choosing piglets, you should give preference to those who have a well-developed chest and dorsal parts, since it is in these places that a large amount of fat can accumulate. From one pig, you can get from 1 to 5 kg of fat, sometimes a lard with layers is formed. Do not bring the pig to a weight of more than 105 kg, as if this indicator increases, it will begin to get fat, and the fat may become loose, lose its shape and deteriorate.

For fat productivity, fattening on compound feed and food waste is considered effective. This food is considered natural, which has a positive effect on the quality of fat.

To get the highest quality products, you need to use special tables that indicate the exact feeding ration. There are also budget options for tables for medium and lower quality meat.

What foods can I feed?

When drawing up a diet, it is important to take into account the amount of products, their composition and the method of preparation, so that the pigs grow quickly. Among the mandatory sources of calories on the menu, the following food groups should be present:

1. Vegetables. Carrots, beets, pumpkins are pigs' favorite food. It is recommended to serve them grated. And potatoes are best pre-cooked and combined with grain for greater nutritional value.
2. Roughage. The pig eats hay with pleasure, because this product improves the functioning of the digestive system and is well absorbed by the body. Soak the food in boiling water before eating.
3. Cereals. The best product for fattening due to its high nutritional value, so its consumption should be greater than other types of food. Rinse, grind and boil before serving.
4. Pigs love greens, but first you need to chop the grass, excluding dry stems that can harm the animal's digestive tract.
5. Combisilos. It includes beets, carrots, cabbage, legume leaves, composition may vary. Pigs are happy to eat such a complex. Great option for a quick meal. The main thing is not to overdo it and not bring the animal to fatty conditions.

To get quality meat and lard, you need to feed the pig with quality and natural products.

What is forbidden to give to pigs?

Despite the fact that pigs are omnivores, junk food can negatively affect their he alth and the quality of the meat in the end. It is worth exploring several food groups that are prohibited for consumption by animals:

1. Plants containing alkaloids and other harmful substances that can cause severe poisoning and even death. These include horse dill, black nightshade, caustic buttercup, spurge, dog parsley.
2. Avoid green or overgrown potatoes. Such tubers have toxic substances in high concentrations. It is also forbidden to supply water in which potatoes were boiled.
3. Pickles. An overdose of s alt in the body leads to the death of the animal.

It is strictly not recommended to feed the animal with products that have traces of mold and other fungi, as well as parasites.

Helpful tips for fattening

When fattening pigs, follow the advice of experienced farmers:

1. To get high quality lard in large quantities, it is important to ensure that the pig moves less. It is not recommended to completely restrict movement, but to reduce the activity of the animal.
2. Use natural and high-quality food for complementary foods. Do not use growth promoters or hormones as they will negatively affect meat quality.
3. Give more often mineral-protein complexes, which contain a lot of vitamins and minerals.
4. Pigs can digest any food. It is advisable to combine products of plant and animal origin to balance the menu.

Starting fattening, you should be guided by the advice of experienced pig breeders to get a quality product.

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