Pig production guide Part 8:
T
his summary article concludes the pig farming series published in the recent issues of ProAgri BNZ. Pig feed Good, high-quality feed is essential for pig production. Proper feed does not only lead to healthier pigs, but also to more profit. Pig feed can drastically impact on the profitability of a pig farm due to the fact that the price of feed is linked to the market price of grain. If grain becomes more expensive, so does feed. This is why those farmers who can afford to do so, usually plant their own grain to make their own feed. Pig feed influences the growth and reproduction rate of your piggery. The quality of feed will also determine how much of it the animal can effectively absorb, and how much simply goes to waste. Not all pigs can eat the same feed. The feeding requirements of pigs in the different production phases differ, therefore they need different feed mixtures. There are generally four categories that pigs can be divided into according
to their feeding requirements. Boars: Boars need to be kept in good condition for breeding purposes. They need to be fed a mixture that is high in fibre and protein, usually containing bran rather than grain. Pregnant sows: These sows can be fed with the same feed as the boars, seeing that their dietary requirements are similar. Sows with piglets: The mixture is usually referred to as a lactating sow mixture. A good quality feed will prevent her from losing too much weight while feeding her piglets. Young pigs: Young pigs from the age of three to ten weeks also need their own mixture. The final mixture can be fed to growing pigs up to the point where they weigh between 60 and 90 kg. Pig feed can include the following products: • Grains such as maize, sorghum, wheat, barley, or oats • Grain by-products such as wheat
• •
bran, hominy chop or maize bran Plant proteins like soya oilcake or sunflower oilcake Animal proteins like fishmeal or bloodmeal
Other elements that should be added to pig feed include feed grade lime, salt, calcium phosphate and a mineral and vitamin feed additive. New-born piglets are very sensitive to cold, draughts, wet bedding and floors, as well as sudden changes in temperature. Therefore ensure that everything possible is done to prevent piglets from being exposed to these conditions. Feed the piglets small quantities every 2 to 3 hours. Start by giving 50 ml each time they are fed, so that each piglet takes in 350 ml per day. Gradually increase the quantity to about 100 ml so that each piglet gets 750 ml at three weeks of age. Management of the specific treatment of piglets Umbilical cord: Disinfect the umbilical cord after birth with an iodine solution or any other suitable disinfectant to prevent bacterial infection. Tusk clipping: Piglets have very sharp temporary tusks (or teeth) at birth, which must be clipped to prevent injuries to the teats of the sows during suckling. Use a tusk clipper and do not clip the teeth too close to the gums. Iron injections: The milk of the sow does not provide enough iron to piglets that are reared on concrete floors. Piglets must therefore be injected with iron when they are three to seven days old. Water and feed: Clean, fresh water placed at the back of the pen where the piglets will learn to defacate is very important. The sooner they start to drink water the better. Sow management: Good management is necessary to produce a maximum number of pigs that can be sold per sow in one year's time at a maximum profit for the farmer.
ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 17
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