Pig farming and feeding Guide for beginners
Pig farming is the process to raise and breed domestic pigs as livestock. To your surprise, this is a very profitable business and also very popular and lucrative at the same time. If we compare, pig farming to other livestock rearing, the advantages of pig farming are relatively more. The growth rate of pig farming is increasing day by day. Pigs are very fertile and reproduce many more pigs at one time. So, within a very short period of time, you can increase the quantity of your livestock as mentioned before that pigs are prolific breeders with high fecundity and short-generation interval.
A male pig is called a boar, a female pig is called gilt till the time she hasn’t had piglets. After having piglets she is called a sow. A sow is able to breed even 8 to 9 months of age and can reproduce twice a year. Pigs have a very short gestation period of 114 days and are able to produce 6 to 12 and even more in each reproduction. Pig farming provides you quick return since marketable weight i.e. 80- 100 Kg of fatteners can be achieved at a very young age i.e. 7 to 9 months. Pigs have actually got the highest feed conversion efficiency. It means that the pigs produce more live weight gain from a given weight of feed than any other class of meat-producing animals except broilers. Pig farming and feeding Guide for beginners.
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Advantages of Pig farming
- Pigs have the ability to convert inedible foods, animal feed, certain milled grain by-products, meat by-products, spoiled foods, and garbage into valuable, nutritious meat. Most of these foods are inedible or not very palatable to humans.
- The Pig Grows Fast and Is Reproductive, 10 to 12 Give birth to piglets at the same It is able to produce two litters per year under optimal handling conditions.
- The yield on the carcass is quite high. 6,080 percent of live weight.
- With little investment in construction and equipment, adequate feeding, and a robust disease control program, the farmer can profitably invest his time and work in this side-line.
- Pig manure is used as compost to maintain soil fertility.
Who all can do pig farming?
- Small and landless farmers.
- Youth those are educated and are earning part-time and have agriculture as their side occupation.
- Uneducated youth.
- Women working on farms.
Pig Farming And Feeding Guide
Pig Feeding guide
The most important part of pig production is to know the correct way to feed pigs. Whether you’re looking for a guide to piglet feeding or studying pig handling techniques, pigs need a high-energy, low-fiber, high-protein diet. To increase production it is necessary to provide pigs with proper nutrition and a balanced diet from weaning to completion. The reason is that it will help raise and maintain healthy animals It will also maximize their growth and reproduction. Pig Farming And Feeding Guide
What To Feed The Pigs
Pigs eat almost anything, all kinds of leftovers or leftovers such as bread, other grains, vegetables, and fruits. But their growth rates are better maintained if the animals are fed feed specially prepared for pigs. Pig Farming And Feeding Guide
Foods that you Should Avoid
If you are making your own pig feed mix, then there are certain types of foods that you should avoid. The reasons range from slow growth to total toxicity. Following are the general foods to avoid in pig feed: Pig Farming And Feeding Guide
- Sweets and High Sugar Food
- Dog Food
- Broken Corn
- Milk
- Fish
- Meat
- Fruits
- Potatoes
Foods high in sugar can slow growth while milk, meat, and fish can harbor viruses. The kernels of apples, pears, apricots, and peaches contain a natural substance called amygdalin, a cyanogenic glycoside that is released when chewed and that causes disease, discomfort, or even death. Potatoes contain natural toxins called glycoalkaloids that can cause severe stomach pain or even death (although this is rare), and they also contain solanine, which destroys red blood cells, causes diarrhea, and heart failure. Pig Farming And Feeding Guide
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How to formulate good pig feed
Formulating a good feed for pigs will help your cattle grow optimally. The feed must meet the animal’s care, growth, and reproductive needs and contain sufficient energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins. Pig Farming And Feeding Guide
Agricultural grain is the best and most common food source for feeding pigs. Most corn-based foods are used because they are high in digestible carbohydrates, low in fiber, and inexpensive. The feed needs to be supplemented with other vitamins, proteins, and some antibacterial compounds in the feed to slow down the growth of natural bacteria that can be harmful to the animal or its livestock. Feed mixes with rice bran, broken rice, corn, soybeans, cassava, vegetables, and distillery residues have shown positive results. Pig Farming And Feeding Guide
Nutritional Needs Of Pigs
The food and water needs of a pig change as it grows.
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Piglets (less than 40 pounds)
Piglets, younger pigs weighing less than 40 pounds, should be introduced to solid food by slow feeding while they are still breastfeeding. The need for food increases daily with the weight of the pig. Pig Farming And Feeding Guide
Fattening pigs (40+ lbs)
The pigs should transition from growing feeds that are nutrients dense with more proteins to finisher feeds that are less dense Pig Farming And Feeding Guide
Expected growth rates of pigs
Since a pig eats around 4% of its body weight per day, it needs a number of essential nutrients to meet its daily needs, ie water, carbohydrates, fats, proteins (amino acids), minerals, and vitamins. With a proper diet, expect weight gain of around 1.5 to 1.7 pounds per day up to around 110 pounds. After that, weight gain of 1.8 to 2.2 pounds per day. Pig Farming And Feeding Guide
Environmental Control For Optimized Growth
In order to maximize feed intake, a number of other factors must also be considered, including environmental and temperature control, adequate water supplies, and feeding programs. Pig Farming And Feeding Guide
Temperature
The temperature requirements of pigs are important for growth and production. Pigs are very adaptable animals and can perform well within a range of temperatures. However, temperatures that are too low or too high can have adverse effects on livestock. Pig Farming And Feeding Guide
For instance, if the temperature is too cold, a pig will eat more and will use more energy to keep itself warm. This will result in slow growth. Hot weather can cause heat stress and reduce feed intake (and possibly death). It is therefore important to keep the cattle cool in the summer. As a result, growth and maturation rates decrease, conception rates decrease and the flow of pigs is reduced, which disrupts livestock. The pen ensures that the pigs’ growth and production rates are sustained. Pig Farming And Feeding Guide
Water
Provide plenty of clean, fresh water. Similar to humans, the most important diet for pigs is also water. Between half and two-thirds of your body weight is made up of water. Access to clean water is essential to a pig’s growth rate. Especially the newly weaned pigs are prone to dehydration. Disinfected and properly dressed. Pigs should have readily available water to drink throughout the day to maintain adequate hydration. Pig Farming And Feeding Guide
Hygiene
Implement hygiene protocols Poor hygiene can lead to undetected disease problems.
FAQ
- What is Pig Farming?
A. Pig farming is the practice of raising pigs for their meat, also known as pork, or for other products such as lard and leather. Pigs are omnivores and can be raised in different environments, including indoor facilities, outdoor pens, and free-range systems.
2. What are the different types of Pigs breeds?
A. There are many breeds of pigs, including the Yorkshire, Duroc, Berkshire, Hampshire, and Large White. Each breed has its own unique characteristics, such as size, growth rate, and meat quality.
3. What are the important factors in Pig Farming?
A. The important factors in pig farming include breed selection, housing, nutrition, health management, and marketing. Proper management and care of the pigs are crucial for their health and growth, and for the success of the farm.
4. What is the Feeding Guide for Pigs?
A. The feeding guide for pigs depends on their age, weight, and nutritional requirements. Pigs should be fed a balanced diet of grains, protein, and fiber, along with vitamins and minerals. The diet can be provided in the form of feed pellets or a mixture of grains and protein sources.
5. What are the most common Feed Ingredients for Pigs?
A. The most common feed ingredients for pigs include corn, soybean meal, wheat, barley, and other grains. Proteins such as fish meal, meat and bone meal, and animal by-products can also be added to the diet.
6. What are the Factors that Affect Pig Feeding?
A. The factors that affect pig feeding include the age and weight of the pigs, their nutritional requirements, and the availability and cost of feed ingredients. Environmental factors, such as temperature, humidity, and ventilation, can also impact pig feeding.
7. How to provide fresh water to Pigs?
A. Pigs require fresh and clean water at all times for optimal health and growth. The water should be provided in a clean and easily accessible trough, and the trough should be cleaned and refilled daily. In hot weather, pigs may need more water, so it is important to monitor their water consumption and adjust as needed.