FEEDING

Friday, February 26, 2010


FEEDING
Feed cost represents 70 % - 80% of the total cost of producing swine. Feeds are given to all categories of pigs should be balanced in nutrient, i.e. it should contain all nutrients required for growth and production. Breeder’s mash (15% protein) should be feed to breeders to prevent body fat deposition but keep them thrifty. Flushing of the breeders should be done 7- 10 days before breeding and maintained until the animals are bred. Flushing is the process by which two feed intake of the gilt or sow is increased so that it can produce more eggs or ova and consequently more number of fertilized egg or ova and large litter or piglet. Pregnant or in sow should not be overfed during gestation period to prevent fat deposition which leads to small litter size and difficulty in parturition. Laxative diet, rich in high fiber (grasses) should be given to in sows to aid easy parturition and lactation. The young piglet should be given creep feed (22% protein) as from two weeks of age to promote rapid growth of the piglet. As soon as the piglet are weaned, they should be given Weaners mash which contain about 18%protein for about 14 weeks at an average rate of 1kg for a pig per day. The pigs are also fed on fatteners’ mash (14% protein) during the fattening stage when pigs do not require high proteinous feed. The pigs are fed at an average rate of 2kg per pig in a day till they reach market weight of 60-90kg at 9-10 months of age.
Pigs being omnivorous animals can feed on kitchen wastes, grasses, remains of restaurant or eatery food and other by-products of brewery, dry waste etc.

0 comments: