Female Nourishing Products Plant Extract Female Nourishing Products Plant Extract,Green Tea Extract,Red Clover Extract,Polygonatum Sibiricum Extract Fufeng Sinuote Biotechnology Co.,Ltd. , https://www.sinuotebio.com
Rural feeding methods need to be improved
With the steady growth of the rural economy and the increasing availability of feed, pig farming has gradually transitioned from traditional methods—primarily relying on green roughage with some supplementary concentrates—to more scientific feeding practices. As a result, farmers should pay close attention to several key aspects of modern pig-feeding techniques.
One common practice among many farmers is feeding cooked food, as they believe it helps pigs eat more. However, this is a misconception. Studies have shown that the impact of cooking depends on the type of feed. For green and coarse feeds, raw feeding tends to be more beneficial, while for concentrate feeds, certain seeds like beans may perform better when cooked. Nevertheless, most concentrate diets are still more effective when fed raw, as cooking can lead to a loss of 5% to 10% of nutrients. Feeding pigs raw feed typically results in a 10% higher daily weight gain, and for every additional kilogram of weight gained, about 0.2 to 0.3 kilograms of concentrate feed can be saved. That said, some feeds—such as rapeseed cake, cottonseed cake, or glutinous water—should be cooked after detoxification or disinfection to avoid harm.
Another important consideration is the consistency of the feed. Feeding too much water can reduce the secretion of digestive juices, speed up gastric emptying, and shorten the time food stays in the stomach, which negatively affects nutrient absorption. On the other hand, thick feeding—especially with dry or semi-moist feeds—can enhance chewing, stimulate digestive juice production, and improve nutrient digestion. It's recommended to use a combination of dry meal with water or green feed slurry to achieve an optimal balance.
Feeding frequency also plays a crucial role. Suckling piglets have small stomachs and limited digestive capacity. From day seven, they should be introduced to creep feeding, allowing them to eat freely while limiting the number of meals. By day twenty, weaning begins, and they should be fed small meals multiple times a day—around six to eight times. Newly weaned pigs, which are in a rapid growth phase, benefit from four to six meals per day. Sows, especially during lactation or late gestation, require more nutrients and should be fed four times daily. Growing pigs, mature pigs, empty sows, and boars can be fed three times a day. In summer, when nights are longer and pigs are more active, offering extra green feed in the evening can help. During winter, feeding early in the morning and later in the evening is ideal, with one of the evening meals being thicker and more substantial.
Establishing a regular feeding schedule is essential for developing good habits. A typical routine might include feeding at 6 a.m., 12 p.m., and 6 p.m., though adjustments can be made depending on the season. Alongside consistent timing, it’s also important to manage the quantity of feed. Once you understand your pig’s usual intake, you can set a standard amount. Ideally, the pig should finish its meal within an hour, leaving no food in the trough. This ensures they receive the right amount without overfeeding.