How to Make Your Pig Gain Weight

The ideal way for a pig to gain weight, for either show or commercial purposes, is to allow the pig free access to food and water, which encourages fast growth. You also need to make sure to maintain an acceptable level of leanness, according to regional livestock specialist Patrick Kircher and Marcia S. Carlson of the Department of Animal Sciences. When you need your pig to get to a certain weight by a particular time, you may want to control the process.

Instructions

Feed and Monitor

1. Ensure proper care and management. According to Kircher and Carlson, this is critical to the pig's success. During the first week of the weight gain process, you need to check your pig three or four times a day, while only providing enough feed to last only two to three days in order to ensure a clean feed.

2. Provide fresh water and dry housing. You want to make sure in the first week that the pig has clean water and access to housing so the pig will not have to battle the elements.

3. Check self-feeders twice a day. After the first week, the pig can be on a self-feeder and eat as much as it likes. You need to check the feeder to make sure there is food available in it and that the food is reaching the bottom of the feeder. During high humidity, feed can build up along the sides, and you will need to push it down.

4. Monitor growth rate. After the pig gets to 125 pounds, weigh the pig weekly. You should do this at the same time of day each time because a pig's weight fluctuates throughout the day.

5. Record the weight. This way you can calculate average daily weight gain.

6. Feed more often. The more you feed the pig, the more it will eat. You can feed three to four times a day.

7. Top dress the feed. You can add a small amount of dried whey, plasma proteins or other flavor enhancers. Cracking two raw eggs onto the feed will also entice the pig to eat more.

Tips & Warnings

• According to Kircher and Carlson, your pig needs a combination of carbohydrates and fat for energy and protein for proper growth and muscle and bone development. Water should never be restricted.

References

• University of Missouri Extension; Swine Care, Selection, Showmanship