How to Feed Your Pig

A healthy, happy show pig needs nutritious food regularly. Choose a feed that's high in energy (corn), low in fiber (cellulose) and supplemented with protein.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Feed Bucket Holders
• Feed Buckets
• Pig Dusting Powders
• Pig Finishing Feeds
• Pig Starter Feeds
• Straws
• Animal Water Buckets
• Wood Shavings

1. Ask your veterinarian what type of feed is best for your particular breed of pig.

2. Feed your pig at least once a day, twice a day for maximum weight gain.

3. Give the entire amount of feed your pig will eat at one time. The amount will increase as your pig increases in size and age.

4. Provide your pig with a starter feed if he's under 125 lbs.

5. Feed finishing feed to pigs over 125 lbs.

6. Check with the feed manufacturer about any antibacterial compounds added to feed. This type of feed will need to be removed from your pig's diet prior to slaughter for the listed withdrawal time.

7. Remember to provide fresh water at all times. One-half to two-thirds of a pig's body is made up of water.

Tips & Warnings

• Exercise, feed, water and good care will foster a good weight-gain rate, and you may bring home a blue ribbon.

on 8/8/2006 I found that in addition to apples and other fruits, pigs also really enjoy vanilla wafers. This should be used as treats and for occasional spoiling. They also like ice cream and other sweets, which should be fed sparingly.

on 8/8/2006 If you need to push your pig so it will make weight at the show, the best thing is milk pellets and goats milk. mix some milk pellets and goats milk with your feed and your pig should eat a lot more, goats milk also expands pig's stomachs. If you need to hold your pig so it doesn't gain any more weight, give it a filler that makes it feel full, but doesn't make your pig gain weight. Rolled corn works good.

on 7/17/2006 To exercise your pig without having to walk him all the time, you can put a board or a box in his pen so he will have to jump. I've done this to my pigs and it works great!

on 6/30/2006 Sometimes, when you think your pig is going to go over the weight limit, you can put it on a push and pull diet. A push and pull diet is when you push the pig to eat a lot one week, and the next week you pull back on how much grain you give the pig.

on 2/20/2006 Olive oil is good for pigs, because it helps their skin condition. If you put olive oil on a pig's skin it does not help, but if you put it in their food it helps their skin from the inside out. I have done it with my pigs and it helps a lot!