Compound feed for small piglets and adult pigs
Compound feed for pigs is a homogeneous mixture consisting of refined and crushed components, protein and vitamin supplements, premixes. It provides nutritious food for animals of different ages and breeds. Correctly balanced feed increases the productivity of pigs by 30% compared to pasture. It also improves immunity and increases daily weight gain several times. Pellets can be fed to pigs from an early age until slaughter.
Types of compound feed and additives to it
The combined mixtures are produced as complete and concentrates. The first type is complete nutrition and does not require the addition of any other formulations. Concentrate is an additive to the main compound feed for pigs. It contains a large amount of proteins, minerals, vitamins and other components. Concentrates stimulate growth, litter uniformity and productivity of pigs. They are produced based on the amount of proteins and other nutrients already available in the staple feed.
Each type of compound feed should be used only for a certain group of pigs (piglets, suckling sows, boars, young animals).
By form, the combined mixtures are divided into the following types:
- granular;
- cereals;
- placer;
- chit.
In addition to concentrates for fast and complete growth, it contains premixes. This homogeneous mixture can contain from 2 to 40 components, depending on its purpose. Premixes contain various salts, vitamins, antibiotics, preventive drugs and much more. Thanks to their use, the consumption of the main feed is reduced by 30%.
The pig feed can contain up to 12 ingredients. The main volume (about 50%) is 2 grain crops. It can be wheat and oats or barley and corn. Also includes feed yeast, salt, chalk, fatty components, meal (cake), bone (fish) and alfalfa meal, premix. The number of ingredients in the combination mixture varies depending on the age of the animal and its purpose (sow or fattening).
Norms and rules of feeding
To determine how much feed a pig will eat per day, you need to take into account its breed, age, gender and weight. Suckling pigs are given 100-200 grams per head, and 1.5 kg for one and a half months. A pregnant pig eats up to 3.5 kg, and a lactating pig eats up to 6 kg. The average norm for an adult is 2 to 4 kg. Piglets that have just been weaned from a pig are fed with a pellet size of up to 8 mm. Small pigs are fed up to 5 times a day, and adults - 2 times.
It is better to give the pig as much food as it can eat at once.
If the feed for pigs and pigs is made by hand, then the grain and other large ingredients must be ground in a crusher. Then all other additives are poured in and everything is thoroughly mixed.
By consistency, the mixture can be of the following types:
- liquid - 1 part of water to 3 parts of the combined feed;
- thick - 1 to 2.5;
- liquid porridge - 1 to 2;
- thick porridge - 1 to 1.5;
- wet placer - liquid and mixed feed in equal proportions;
- dry placer - 0.5 to 1.
You should not boil your grain as it loses most of its nutrients.
Small pigs are given a wet mash or thick porridge, since in this form it is better absorbed. The temperature of the pig feed must be at least + 30 ° C.You can mix potatoes, carrots, beets, bread or peas into it. It is necessary to dilute with liquid only before feeding, and in such a volume that it is eaten at a time. Otherwise, it will deteriorate, and this can cause an upset stomach in the animal. A mixture in the form of a liquid porridge is fed to adults. Unlike piglets, grain for them is crushed to a medium or large size, and the premix is also added. For 1 kg of dry compound feed adds up to 100 g of premix.
For lactating sows it is recommended to purchase special combination mixtures. Because they contain more minerals and vitamins. This is extremely important, as only newly born piglets receive everything they need from milk.
It is recommended to dilute dry compound feed with milk whey or water, as this promotes better feed absorption.
If the mixture is dispensed dry, then the pigs must have constant access to clean water. Supplements containing antibiotics are discontinued one week before slaughter.
The cost of compound feed
The price of mixed feed for pigs varies depending on its purpose. So "Starter" for feeding pigs from the first day costs about 1000 rubles per bag weighing 40 kg. "Grower" for individuals aged 90 to 130 days - 900 rubles, and "Finisher" for pigs from 130 days - 800 rubles. Special compound feed for fattening, for example, K-58, costs from 600 to 800 rubles. You can also use a universal, salt-free feed mixture for all livestock. They feed the bird rabbits, pigs and horses. The price is from 500 to 650 rubles for 40 kg.
Considering how much compound feed for pigs costs, many manufacturers buy it ready-made. As the mixture is completely balanced and does not require any additives. Making food with your own hands is more profitable, but not much, and you also need constant access to all the ingredients.